Hartmann Schedel/ Wohlgemut/ Pleydenwurff/Dürer - The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) - 1493

Original incunabulum leaf CLXI (161) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the German edition from 1493.

An incunabulum (cradle print) is a book printed in Europe before 1 January 1501, when the printing press was still in its infancy, and of which the text is set in movable type. They are now rarely seen on the market.

The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) by Hartmann Schedel is one of the most famous and best illustrated incunabula. The beautiful woodcuts were made by Michael Wohlgemut (1434/37-1519) and his stepson Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (1450-1494), a teacher of Albrecht Dürer. Dürer probably also contributed to the execution of many of the woodcuts for this incunabulum.

On the recto side, a lineage of emperors is depicted: Philippicus, Anastasius, Theodosius and Emperor Leo the Third.

On the verso side, three beautiful illustrations are shown:
1. Egidius, a Greek, born of an honorable family at Athens, and renowned at this time as a model of skill and for his miracles, was instructed in the Scriptures from youth.
2. Bonifacius the First, an archbishop.
3. Saint Kilianus, Saint Colonatus and Saint Totnanus, who were slain together at Würtzburg, are represented by a triple portrait.

This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 532 years old!
Rare in coloured version.

Dimensions: 43 x 29 cm
Good condition, a few spots and some signs of use.

Attention for US buyers: Due to recent postal restrictions shipping to the US can only be done by DHL, therefore higher shipping costs apply!