The protagonists in this book philologists, antiquarians, natural historians share a key concern: how can one ensure a legacy of permanence and reproducibility, even under adverse conditions? During the period of epistemological upheaval in the early 18^th century, awareness of this problem led to novel, historically unique constellations of practice, knowledge, and imagination.

Stephan Kammer, Luwig-Maximilians-Universität München.