Catalog Archive
Auction 150, Lot 736

"Blat CLXX", Schedel, Hartmann

Subject: Incunabula

Period: 1493 (published)

Publication: Liber Chronicarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
10.9 x 16.1 inches
27.7 x 40.9 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

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.

The recto of this sheet with German text shows the portraits of Emperor Lothair, King Adeulphus of England, and his successor King Edmund, as well as a storm of hailstones, which fell in Gaul at the time of Emperor Lothair. The verso of this sheet depicts the lineage of Popes from Benedict the Third, to Nicholas the First, to Adrian the Second.

References:

Condition: A

Marginal soiling.

Estimate: $100 - $130

Sold for: $85

Closed on 9/17/2014

Archived