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 superb panoramic view of Rome, and one of the only obtainable 15th century views of the city. The sprawling city is shown along both sides of the Tiber River, and important locations are labeled in the view, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, and Castel de San Angelo. On verso is a smaller, equally fine view of Genoa. On a sheet of Latin text measuring 23.4 x 16.5".

See also lot 696 for Adrian Wilson's The Making of the Nuremberg Chronicle.

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Condition: B+

An excellent impression on a bright sheet with marginal soiling. There are professional repairs to minor separations along the centerfold, short edge tears, and a large hole along the centerfold at the top of the sheet, with no loss of image.