Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) was published in two editions, Latin and German, both in 1493, appearing in print just before Christopher Columbus' discoveries completely re-shaped the European view of the World. This splendid work presented the history of the world in a pictorial encyclopedia with approximately 285 pages of text and 1,800 woodcut illustrations. Among these illustrations are views of towns and cities throughout Europe and the Near East. The majority of these views are entirely imaginary. In fact, 49 of the views are actually printed from the same group of 14 woodblocks. There are also 30 double-page views of cities with more realistic images. In addition to the topographical images, there are an enormous number of other subjects, including diagrams of the Creation, comets, family trees, portraits & biblical scenes. The text was compiled and edited by Hartmann Schedel, printed by Anton Koberger, with illustrations designed by Michael Wohlgemuth and Willem Pleydenwurff, who cut the woodblocks, probably with the assistance of their apprentice, Albrecht Durer.

This lot includes two sheets with Latin text. The first, Folio III, illustrates and describes the work of God on the second and third days of creation. The illustration on the second day is misplaced, as it depicts four orbits instead of two. The second sheet, Folio XVIII, discusses the Tower of Babylonia.

A. Folio III, hand color.
B. Folio XVIII, black & white.

References:

Condition: B+

Light soiling with a few tiny chips and tears along the edges of the sheets.