Two-page spread, illustration after p. 18 of "Relation de l'inauguration solemnelle..." (1719); night scene of fireworks display and artificial trees outside the town hall in Ghent. Two-page spread, illustration after p. 18 of "Relation de l'inauguration solemnelle..." (1719); night scene of fireworks display and artificial trees outside the town hall in Ghent.

A depiction of the Swedish fireworks at Nuremberg in honor of the Swedish plenipotentiary in Germany, Count Palatine Carl Gustav (the future king of Sweden, Charles X Gustav). For an account of this event and depictions of the fireworks see Eberhard Fähler, Feuerwerke des Barock, p. 152-155, 192. Title from lettering in banner in upper center of the image Originally published in: Theatrum Europaeum. Vol. 6 (Frankfurt: M. Merian, 1652), following p. 1048 (Fähler, p. 192, no. 103). Probably engraved by Caspar, younger son of Matthäus Merian, who took over the work of etching for the Merian publishing house and its Theatrum Europaeum after about 1645 (see Grove dict. of art).

Title from lettering in banner at top center of image

A collection of 32 gouache paintings on white paper, all with deep blue or black painted background color, depicting various fireworks set pieces and aerial displays; most include the figure of an operator with a lighter. About half are variously lettered or numbered on the back, but none are otherwise identified, though this presumably constitutes a catalog of effects available from C.T. Brock & Co. A collection of 32 gouache paintings on white paper, all with deep blue or black painted background color, depicting various fireworks set pieces and aerial displays; most include the figure of an operator with a lighter. About half are variously lettered or numbered on the back, but none are otherwise identified, though this presumably constitutes a catalog of effects available from C.T. Brock & Co. Title from album front cover. All paintings are unsigned; the artist is identified as Phil George in A. St. H. Brock's A history of fireworks (1949), in which 5 of the paintings (nos. 7, 8, 22, 26, and 29) are reproduced in color plates facing p. 120, 121, and 209 (nos. 7, 8, and 22 having been reproduced in black and white in Brock's Pyrotechny, 1927). Of the 32, 27 measure ca. 50 x 36 cm., and 5 measure ca. 73 x 38 cm. (folded to 37 x 38 cm.). Those of the smaller size are on the same stock of handmade cartridge paper, about half with "J. Whatman" watermark, which in 7 sheets includes a date, either 1888 or 1889, the date in the others having been trimmed away. Of the folded sheets, 1 (no. 21, clearly by the same artist) seems to be of the same paper; 3 (nos. 30-32) are on similar but slightly smoother paper (without watermarks) and 1 (no. 20) is on much smoother, possibly machine-made paper, these 4 possibly the work of some other artist and bearing the numbers 1-4 on their versos. For further details see the "Supplemental description of individual paintings" shelved with the paintings. At time of acquisition, laid loose in blind-stamped leather album with "C.T. Brock & Co.'s Crystal Palace Fireworks" in gold on front cover, the album sewn into a burgundy polished sheep chemise, lettered in gold on the front "C.T.B. & Co." Printed label on front pastedown, "Bradstock & Caslake, printers and account book manufacturers, 80, Lower Thames Street, London, E.C." (the firm was at that address from 1883 to past the turn of the century). Paintings now removed and placed in individual folders in clamshell case, with the original album. From the Chris Philip Firework Collection, without his bookplate.

The print depicts fireworks displays held on the night of 14 July 1650 on the St. Johannis Schiesplatz in Nuremberg to celebrate the restoration of peace within the Holy Roman Empire after the conclusion of the Thirty Years War (cf. Lotz). According to Nagler the print was engraved by Peter Troschel after a drawing by Michael Herr, and consists of two leaves. Unsigned with engraved legend below the image