Schedel, Hartmann

Imperial folio (480 x 330mm.), 326 leaves, [*, **⁶ ***⁸; a⁶ b-d⁴ e-h⁶ i² k⁴ l-n⁶ o² p-q⁶ r-y⁴ z⁶ aa-cc⁶ dd² ee⁶ ff⁴ gg-ii⁶ kk² ll⁴ mm-zz A-K⁶ L^6-2 M⁶], gothic type, xylographic title-page, 4- to 14-line initial spaces, numerous woodcut illustrations throughout by Wolgemuth, Pleydenwurff and workshop, including portraits, maps and town views, 5 leaves of De Sarmacia and conjoint blank bound between folios CCLXVI and CCLXVII, 2 blank leaves at end with watermark of double cross (Briquet 5753, recorded as used for the Nuremburg Chronicle), sixteenth-century German pigskin over wooden boards, metal clasps, marginal pen notations, some fore-edges untrimmed, note in pencil regarding removal of larvae loosely laid in (dated May 1924-September 1929), very minor hand-colouring, minor browning and spotting, some worming, scattered repairs and restoration, binding worn with some loss of pigskin, new endleaves

Ludwig Heinrich Zorn von Plobsheim, 1684, ink inscription on title; Joh. Becke, Arg. [Strassburg], 1748, ink inscription on front free endpaper; Carl Friedrich Schreiber von Cronstern (1711-1795), 1776, bookplate; Henry Perkins (1778-1855), inherited by Algernon Perkins, sale at Hanworth Park, Gadsden, Ellis & Co., 3 June 1873; lot 628, extract from sale catalogue pasted to fly-leaf; James Elwin Millard, bookplate, sale, Sotheby's, 25 November 1890, lot 70, £20, to Rimell

Goff S307; HC 14508; BMC ii 437; BSB-Ink S-195; Bod-inc S-108; GW M40784; Grosjean & O'Connell 102

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN EXTRAORDINARILY TALL COPY WITH EXTENSIVE PROVENANCE.

In 1493 the most elaborately illustrated book then printed in Europe, the Liber Chronicarum or Weltchronik, appeared in print. This major work, by the Nuremberg doctor Hartmann Schedel was printed by the foremost printer in Nuremberg, Anton Koberger. It is a history of the world from the Creation to his own day and is remarkable for its illustrations, its graphic design and for its woodcuts and description of cities. The woodcut illustrations include events from the Bible, pictures of human monstrosities, portraits of Kings, Queens, saints and martyrs, and allegorical pictures of miracles.

The maps and views includes some of the earliest printed representations of towns and cities available to us today, though some have generic and repeated cityscapes.