Wierix, H. (1553/54-1619). The four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

Complete set of 4 engravings, all ca. 22 x 27 cm, after Maerten de Vos (I) (1531/32-1603), numb. 1-4, the first signed "Martinus de Vos inventor" and w. address "P. Baltens excudebat" (Peeter Baltens, 1527/28-1584), the names of the evangelists near them, all w. 4-line Latin verse below the image. Fine impressions w. much plate tone, w. very very wide margins. The first print duststained and frayed in r. margin, the third print w. cut-out blank lower r. corner, that piece partly used to neatly restore a hole in left margin, affecting the image. All prints w. smoothed-out central vertical fold. Complete set in the rare first state, all lvs. w. tiny holes in left blank margins from formerly being threadbound together, as was done by (travelling) printsellers in earlier ages, to keep sets like ours neatly and unobtrusively together. See the other set (also in first state) in this auction. Hieronymus Wierix was the brother of Johannes Wierix and Anthonie Wierix (II).

(total 4)