[20], CCLXXXXIX, [6] ff. Lacking the final blank and leaf CCLVIIII (which is blank but for the printed headline), a blank leaf is inserted in its place. Profusely illustrated with over 1800 woodcuts of various sizes, from small portraits to double-page maps; One large 14-line floral initial in read and brown, nicely rubricated throughout. (Folio) 44x29.5 cm (17¼x11¾") 18th century calf paneled in gilt with a gilt central device front and rear, finely rebacked in a sympathetic style, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt and gauffered. First Edition.
A very attractive copy of the Latin edition of Schedel’s great Nuremberg Chronicle, published five months prior to the German language 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 has 1809 woodcut illustrations from 645 blocks (Cockerell's count) by Michael Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff and their workshop, including the young Albrecht Durer. The 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. 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 S 307; BMC II p. 437. 19th century bookplates of J. Hamilton Leigh and Jacobus Cowan de Rosshall.
Condition:
Binding lightly worn; title leaf with a repaired tear in blank lower portion, approximately 50 leaves with older marginal repairs, mostly small with the blank margins reinforced with thin strips of paper, not affecting text or illustration, though surrounding a few of the folio marks toward the rear of the volume, one small worm tunnel in about the final dozen leaves, including the double page map of Europe but in margin of text; overall a very clean and attractive copy.