"Topographische Chronik von Breslau: mit vier Kupfern und einer Vignette. Erstes Quartal" Fragment of the University of Wrocław building with a view of the University Church

The topographical-historical chronicle of Breslau written by Karl Adolf Menzl (1784-1855) is a pioneering work on Silesian historiography, dedicated to the history of Breslau from medieval times up to the early 19th century. It was published from 1805 to 1807 in 118 weekly issues, which made up the complete work. It was divided into nine quarters with separate tables of contents for each quarter. Most probably, this over 900 pages long book was published in that way for financial reasons. On its last pages, the author included a very long list of subscribers, whose contributions made publication possible. The chronicle is decorated with dozens of black copperplate engravings (including fold-outs) showing monuments and richly detailed city views from the author's contemporary times, historical events, as well as portraits (Andreas Kirche, Johann Hess, Johann Kretschmer). The illustrations were made by Friedrich Gottlob Endler (1763-1822), a Wrocław copperplate engraver and architect.