[The four seasons] [toy]

Title devised by cataloger.
Library's copy lacking the optical box.
Attributed to the firm of engraver and publisher, Martin Engelbrecht, Augsburg. He obtained an imperial privilege to publish peep-shows from 1719, thereby eliminating any competition from other publishing houses. Artists Jeremias Wachsmuth or David Nessenthaler may have collaborated on the illustrations. The peep-shows were published in three formats: Large format, ca. 15.5 x 20.8 cm ; medium format, ca. 9.2 x 14.3 cm ; and small format, ca. 7.3 x 9.0 cm. The large and medium formats were published with a title page, while no title pages are known to have been printed for the small format. Also, the small format cards do not have any serial numbers, possibly due to cropping of the margins.
These four peepshows--one for each season--are in the small format. Each contains six etchings, recently mounted in accordion form; all of the views are hand-colored and have been cut out, except for the sixth which forms the background and has the number 6 printed at lower margin. The prints are devoid of any text, title page, or impressum in the lower margins.
Library's copies are wrapped in contemporary laid paper with the German title written in black ink. The wrapper on the Sommer set is stamped: "Bundesdenkmalamt Landeskonservator f. Salzburg"