Mich. Birk Tuttlingen – Catalogue No. 4 – Medical instrument catalogue Germany

Description

Very rare and comprehensive medical instrument and trade catalogue by Mich. G. Birk from Tuttlingen, Germany, richly illustrated and presumably published around 1910.

This Catalogue No. 4 gives a particularly comprehensive view of the product range of Mich. G. Birk. The catalogue comprises approximately 290 double pages with countless illustrations, followed by a 31-page index. The texts are produced in four languages: German, English, French and Spanish, which clearly shows that the firm was targeting an international market with this publication.

The range goes much further than solely surgical instruments. Alongside medical and surgical instruments, the catalogue includes, among other things, pharmacy and laboratory equipment, medical-technical articles, rubber goods, dressings, packaging materials and promotional items. Even contraceptives form part of the assortment and are illustrated on double pages 164 and 165.

Particularly attractive are the 16 sheets of coloured lithographic advertising and packaging labels, partly executed as folded double pages. These show, amongst other things, decorative labels for bags, boxes and tins. These colourful chromolithographs form a striking contrast to the many detailed black-and-white illustrations of medical instruments and other products in the rest of the catalogue.

Even as a graphic object, the catalogue is particularly stunning, featuring a geometrically designed original brown cloth binding. Through the combination of medical technology, commercial design, packaging design and advertising, the catalogue provides a fascinating insight into the medical trade and visual culture at the beginning of the 20th century.

Tuttlingen developed into an important German centre for the manufacture of surgical and medical instruments. This exceptionally comprehensive trade catalogue is therefore of interest not only to collectors of medical history, but also to enthusiasts of historical trade catalogues, graphic design, packaging design and industrial heritage.

Dimensions & condition
Approx. 29.3 × 23.5 cm.

Used copy with signs of age and wear. There are a few small holes in the spine. See the photos for a full impression of the condition.