February 2024 Auction Ends Thursday, February 29th, 5pm Pacific

Rare 1493 First Edition of ''Nuremberg Chronicle'', the Illustrated High Point of Printing in the Age of Incunable -- Complete with 1,809 Woodcuts

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/29/2024

Rare first edition of Hartmann Schedel's ''Nuremberg Chronicle'', the 15th century illustrated history of the world unmatched in its importance to the late medieval era, and credited with exposing Europe to an outward-looking orientation that ushered in the Age of Enlightenment. Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 12 July 1493. After Johannes Gutenberg invented moveable type and published the Gutenberg Bible in the mid-15th century, the 50 year age of incunable was born, with printed books transforming how knowledge was controlled and disseminated. ''Nuremberg Chronicle'' is considered the high point of the incunable era.

This copy of ''Nuremberg Chronicle'' (''Liber Chronicarum'' in its original Latin) contains all 1,809 woodcut illustrations, many revealing dozens of cities such as Jerusalem for the very first time. In addition to cities and historical events, illustrations also intimately document 15th century life including architecture, home furnishings, clothes, domestic animals and livestock, infrastructure, astronomers and other professions, etc. Most woodcuts are by Michael Wolgemut, comprising 29 double-page city views, and 8 full-page woodcuts and double-page maps of the world. The book is divided into 11 eras, from creation of the world to then modern times up through the 1490s.

Comprised of 326 leaves measuring 11.5'' x 17.25'', with first table of contents page hand-colored in ornamental red and blue. Complete with final blank leaf (though final quire is misbound after Folio CCLXVI). Rebacked in 19th century blind-tooled calf. Bookplates for the private library of William Roy Smith on front pastedown, and woodcut title inlaid. A few minor repairs to margins and minor discoloration to some preliminary leaves. Overall a bright, well-preserved first edition in very good plus condition. Accompanied by Heritage Book Shop provenance.

One of the most important books in the history of literature and art, with fewer than 400 copies believed to be extant, most residing in libraries and public institutions.