Breslau Cabinet of Natural and Artificial Curiosities

A decorative woodcut headpiece features symmetrical acanthus leaf scrolls and floral patterns. In the center, a circular medallion contains a basket of flowers.

An ornamental initial 'P' is set in a square frame, decorated with detailed flowers including a central rose and surrounding foliage.

I would not have had the intention of publishing this Promtuarium storehouse or manual in print, had I not wished to satisfy the requests of absent friends; or to gratify those to whom I might be indebted for possessions held twice or more often; or had I not intended to supplement the deficiencies of my own collection from the apparatus of others; or had I not stood by the decision to notify them of the curious things that exist here in Breslau.

And you also, who have surveyed everything with a wandering eye, may have something to assist your memory, especially since I have cited the authors where most of these things may be found either described or engraved in copper. This is something to be desired in all the catalogs published up to this point, either those collected by Michael Bernhard Valentini in the Appendix to his Museum of Museums original: "Musei Museorum", or those published subsequently original: "(*)", where you may not rarely read of the most vile and common thing being sold as the most precious and rare.

Furthermore, if you encounter anything here that is better known or understood by you, I ask that you share with us your more accurate denominations, descriptions, and observations.