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.

The recto of this sheet with German text gives a depiction of a night in Italy in 570 in which blood rained from the clouds and large rocks were tossed about. After then raining for several days, animals in human form began to appear in the rivers. Also on the recto are portraits of Saint Leonard, Maurus, Saint Columbanus, Bishop Herculanus, and Simeon of Antioch. On the verso are the Roman Popes Pelagius, Johannes III, Benedictus, and Pelagius II.

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Condition: B+

Watermarked paper with light soiling, a few spots of foxing, and a faint damp stain along top edge of sheet. Title and page number cut off at top on recto, as issued.