First edition signed by the author at the end of the introduction. Dedicated to Monsieur Wille, graveur du roi de France, de L'Académie Royale de peinture et de plusiers autres académies. This copy of the book carries the signature and annotations of Franz Rechberger (1771-1841), a painter and engraver who was the personal curator of the Austrian collector, patron, and bibliophile le Comte Moritz von Fries (1777-1826). (For further information on Rechberger see Bénézit, 8 p.639, and Nagler, Die Monogrammisten II p.863.) The Comte de Fries was a patron of Ludwig van Beethoven and friend of Franz Schubert. He had amassed a collection of over 16,000 books (mostly large, illustrated works of the 18th century), 300 paintings and 100,000 drawings and prints representing all schools, before it had to be sold as a result of his bankruptcy in 1826. The collection is now dispersed throughout various public and private European collections. This book is annotated by Rechberger with notations of which prints were owned by Fries. Includes a complete catalogue of the prints and bookplates made by Schmidt. The book opens with a fine etching of Schmidt by "Wagner à Leipsic." Head and tail of spine with small chips, some rubbing to hinges. Bookplate on front pastedowns of Theodor Noderer and one indicating that this book came from the reference library and stock of H.P. Kraus. A commemorative booklabel which indicates that this set came from the reference library of H.P. Kraus purchased by Oak Knoll Books at the auction sale is loosely inserted. Covers cracked along front hinge.