Lot 2038
  • 2038

HARTMANN SCHEDEL. LIBER CRONICARUM CUM FIGURIS ET YMAGINIBUS [THE NUREMBERG CHRONICLE] .NUREMBERG: 1493

Estimate
70,000 - 100,000 USD
bidding is closed

Description

  • Liber cronicarum cum figuris et ymaginibus. Nuremberg, Anton Koberger for Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister, 12 July 1493
Imperial folio (435 x 305 mm).   (20) ff. including title and T.O.C., 266 ff., (5) unnumbered ff. and (1) f. blank [the Samartian supplement, quire 55], 267-299 ff., (1) f. with colophon on verso, (1) f. blank. With the Text in 2 columns, 64 lines, 1,809 woodcut illustrations from 645 blocks, of which 31 are double-page, including the Europe map in old hand color; scattered soiling mostly to margins, minor marginal tears to foot of a handful of leaves, small hole to XI, faint waterstain to head of last few quires, world map lightly thumbed and slightly soiled with small marginal tear. Contemporary blindstamped pigskin over beveled wooden boards with 8 diamond-shaped brass corner-guards and two brass centerpieces, two brass clasps intact. 

Literature

Goff S307; HC 14508; BMC ii 437; BSB-Ink S-195; Bod-inc S-108; GW M40784

Catalogue Note

First edition of the most extensively illustrated book of the fifteenth century - the world before Columbus. A history of the world from the Creation to the author's own time, the Chronicle is remarkable for its illustrations, its graphic designs, its printing and for its description of cities. There are one hundred and two early views of towns and cities, thirty-two of which are among the first authentic panoramas ever made. It also includes the famous early map of Europe (by Hieronymus Muenzer after Nicolas Cusa) and a Ptolemaic world map (Shirley 19). The many woodcut illustrations includes portraits of kings, queens, saints and martyrs, with allegorical pictures of miracles.