"Folio XCI - Colonia", 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.

This striking double-page view of the city of Cologne was one of the first panoramic views of the city. Numerous steeples punctuate the sky and a large boat fills the river. Printed from two separate wood blocks. On verso is half of the view of Augusta, as well as part of the genealogy of the family of Herod. On a full sheet of Latin text measuring 23.4 x 17.3".

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Condition: A

A clean and bright example with a few small worm holes in the top margin. Along the centerfold there are small binding holes, minor soiling, and a few short separations that have been closed on verso with archival tape.