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[10], CCLXXXVI, [1] leaves (lacking the final blank). Profusely illustrated with wood engraved city views, portraits, scenes etc., some of them with early hand-coloring; 2 double-page maps (of the world and Europe). (folio) 43x29 cm. (17x11½”), 16th/17th century full blind-rolled pigskin over wooden boards (likely a remboitage), metal clasps, corner protectors and central lozenge on each cover (apparently later additions). First Edition in German.

First German language edition of Schedel’s great work, published five months after the Latin edition, the most extensively illustrated of all 15th century books, presenting the history of the world from the Creation to the time of publication. The Latin edition had 1809 woodcut illustrations from 645 blocks (Cockerell's count) by Michael Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff and their workshop, including the young Albrecht Durer; this German edition is some 30 leaves shorter, so the count of woodcuts would be similarly reduced. The double-page maps of the World [Shirley 19] and of Europe are by Hieronymus Munzer after Nicolas Khrypffs. The woodcut illustrations include events from the Bible, pictures of human monstrosities, portraits of Kings, Queens, saints and martyrs, and allegorical pictures of miracles. The views are some of the earliest representations of towns and cities, with around 116 places being identified by name. The woodcuts on leaves I-XXXVr (including the double-page map of the world) with early hand coloring, also the double-page bird’s-eye views of Rome (LVIIv-LVIIIr) and Florence (LXXXVIv-LXXXVIIr). A medical doctor by training and practice, Hartmann Schedel was a resourceful and prodigious collector as well as a versatile scholar and bibliophile. Peter Zahn, in his introduction to Adrian Wilson’s The Making of the Nuremberg Chronicle, writes “The Schedel Chronicle very rightly became famous because of its illustrations, its extraordinary graphic design, its printing, and for its woodcuts and descriptions of cities.” Goff S308. Several early ownership inscriptions on title, partially illegible, the names perhaps Elvay, Eberlein, and Brocke. Occasional early ink marginalia, which is often partially shaved, a few pages with ink underlining. One and a half-page ms. description of the book in German inserted at front endpapers.