A Miniature Version of Schedel's Ancient World Map

"Secunda Etas Mundi", Schonsperger, Johann

This rare woodcut depicting the ancient world is from the first edition of the reduced version of Hartman Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, sometimes called the mini-Schedel. The Ptolemaic map, featuring huge rivers and convoluted mountain ranges, is enclosed in a border containing twelve windheads. At three corners are Noah's three sons, Ham, Shem and Japhet. On a full sheet of Latin text (7.9 x 11.3"). Much rarer than the folio version, this is a fine example of this charming incunabula map.

References: Shirley #20; Imago Mundi XI, p. 46.

Condition: A

Map is clean and bright. There is some soiling in the text below the map and in the margins, as well as a couple of old paper repairs along the edges of the sheet, well away from the image.