Original incunabulum leaf CXLV (145) from the Nuremberg Chronicle of Hartmann Schedel, the first Latin 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. The beautifully coloured woodcuts on the recto side show these three illustrations: 1. Justinianus, known as one, if not the greatest of the Roman emperors, attained to the sovereignty. He ruled the Roman empire with good fortune. He wears a mitered crown, carries scepter and orb, and is clad in richly embroidered robes. The head is large, the body small. 2. The Fifth Council begun at Constantinople at the command of the pope Agapetus and the emperor Justinian, was concluded during the time of Pope Vigilius, in the year 538. 3. Belisarius, an esteemed councillor, sturdy in arms, a leader sent forth by Justinian at the head of a large army, first attacked the Persians, who had seriously ravaged Roman territory, and defeated them in a great battle. On the verso side, 4 illustrations are depicted: 1. Vitiges, a Goth of obscure origin, was at this time, while King Theodahad (Theodato) still lived, crowned as king of Rome. 2. Tottila, was the last king of the Ostrogoths. 3. Narses was the personal chamberlain of the emperor. 4. Patrick, a native of Britain, before he was ordained an archbishop of the Scots, converted the entire island of Hibernia to Christ by his illustrious teachings over a period of 60 This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 531 years old! Rare in coloured version. Dimensions: 41,7 x 25,3 cm Good condition, wormholes with old restoration in left white margin. See foto's for better impression.