Hartmann Schedel / Michael Wolgemut/ Wilhelm Pleydenwurff - The Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum) - 1493

Original incunabulum leaf CCXXXI (231) 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 two beautiful illustrations:
1. The Order of Jesuati had its origin at Siena in Etruria, under the hereinafter named Pope Urban. The embers of this order wore lay dress according to the custom of the clergy, lived together in houses, performed manual labor, and served God.
2. John, king of France, began to reign in A.D. 1350 on the death of his father Philip; and he reigned twenty-five years.

On the verso side two popes are portrayed: Urban V and Gregory XI.

This is not a facsimile edition, but an original leaf printed in the 15th century - so 532 years old!
are in coloured version.

Dimensions: 43,5 x 30,5 cm

Good condition, lower right corner with some spots, upper white margin with small old restoration.