Geschichtliche Denkwürdigkeiten und Seltenheiten der Natur . . .  

(Historical Memorabilia and Rarities of Nature)

Issued serially in parts beginning in 1813, Geschichtliche Denkwürdigkeiten und Seltenheiten der Natur. . . was compiled by Carl Lang, a German writer, teacher, engraver, and art theorist. The work—a compendium of interesting and noteworthy information on geography, history, and the natural sciences—totals 36 issues containing more than 100 hand-colored engravings. These fanciful illustrations depict an array of unusual landscapes, rare animals, ethnic costumes, mythical figures, and meteorological phenomena.



Publications such as Geschichtliche Denkwürdigkeiten became popular during the early years of the 19th century, perhaps in reaction to the rigid, academic encyclopedias of the preceding Enlightenment. Lang himself noted his work’s lighthearted purpose, stating in its preface that his intention was to both edify and entertain young minds.