Rare and attractive leaf with 2 beautifully hand-coloured woodcuts from one of the most famous Renaissance books on prodigies and extraordinary natural phenomena printed in Basel 1557. These early woodcuts depict the great comet of 1506 whose appearance was regarded as a portent of forthcoming wars and political upheavals, and the earthquake of Constantinople in 1509, shown striking the city and causing widespread destruction to its buildings and fortifications. The leaf originates from the celebrated Renaissance chronicle of wonders by Conrad Lycosthenes, Prodigiorum ac Ostentorum Chronicon (Basel, 1557) and draws on classical and medieval sources of its time such as Sebastian Münster, Conrad Gesner, Cardano and Paracelsus. The work reflects the Renaissance fascination with unusual natural phenomena, monsters, mythical creatures and other marvels of nature at the crossroads of early science, astrology and natural history. Dimensions: 26,5 x 18,8 cm Good condition, a few old creases. Attention for US buyers: Due to recent export problems higher shipping costs to the US apply!