"Blat CXIX", Schedel, Hartmann

Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) was published in two editions, Latin and German, both in 1493, appearing in print just before Christopher Columbus' discoveries completely re-shaped the European view of the World. This splendid work presented the history of the world in a pictorial encyclopedia with approximately 285 pages of text and 1,800 woodcut illustrations. Among these illustrations are views of towns and cities throughout Europe and the Near East. The majority of these views are entirely imaginary. In fact, 49 of the views are actually printed from the same group of 14 woodblocks. There are also 30 double-page views of cities with more realistic images. In addition to the topographical images, there are an enormous number of other subjects, including diagrams of the Creation, comets, family trees, portraits & biblical scenes. The text was compiled and edited by Hartmann Schedel, printed by Anton Koberger, with illustrations designed by Michael Wohlgemuth and Willem Pleydenwurff, who cut the woodblocks, probably with the assistance of their apprentice, Albrecht Durer.

A gorgeous sheet of German text with the Royal lineage of the Roman emperors beginning with Gordian I and ending with Decius on the recto, with histories of early Christian martyrs on the verso. The lower illustration describes the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, who were persecuted under the pagan emperor Decius. He told them they must recant Christianity or die. They went to a mountain cave and prayed, where they fell asleep, at which point Decius sealed up the cave with them inside. Hundreds of years later, a farmer opened the cave and found them sleeping. They awoke and found a world where Christianity was accepted, whereupon they told their tale and expired.

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Condition: B+

Light toning and minor soiling.