ID 794378
Lot 118 | SCHEDEL, Hartmann (1440-1514)
Estimate value
£ 22 000 – 28 000
Liber chronicarum, in German: Das Buch der Croniken und Geschichten. Translated by Georg Alt (c.1450-1510). Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, 23 December 1493.
First edition in German of the Nuremberg Chronicle, printed in the same year as the first, Latin edition and with the same woodcuts, used here with only minor variations in the placement of the smaller cuts. The German and Latin editions were planned simultaneously, with the German edition of Georg Alt's translation appearing five months after the Latin edition. It was printed in about half as many copies as the Latin (which had wider currency through Europe), and that ratio is reflected in survival rates of the two editions. A 1509 final settlement of accounts shows that the editions were distributed via agents as far afield as London, Paris, Buda, Prague, Milan and Florence and as close to home as Augsburg. A trial sheet discovered in the late 1990s showed that Koberger had first contemplated printing the German edition with his ninth German Bible type (cf. C. Reske, "Eine neue Entdeckung zur Druckgeschichte der Schedelschen Weltchronik", Gutenberg-Jahrbuch, 1997, pp. 95-106. H *14510; BMC II, 437; CIBN S-163; BSB-Ink. S-197; Bod-Inc. S-110; Schreiber 5205; Klebs 890.1; Goff S-309; ISTC is00309000.
Imperial folio (449 x 300mm). 297 (of 298, without blank 56⁄6) leaves, fos. 35⁄2.3 and 56⁄1, and possibly a few others, supplied. Initials opening text and table in red and blue with purple penwork decoration, red initials and capital strokes in table. Xylographic title, over 1800 woodcuts from 645 blocks, by Michael Wolgemut, Wilhelm Pleydenwurff and their workshop, probably including the young Albrecht Dürer (some tears, most neat or repaired, marginal corners of first quire and a few other leaves renewed, title repaired and extended at two sides, some staining and browning, final map strengthened or repaired at hinge and top and bottom, 56⁄3.4 loose). Near-contemporary blindstamped pigskin over bevelled wooden boards, 2 (of 8) chased brass corner-pieces, central brass medallion, later red leather spine label (both clasps missing, head and foot of spine worn, a few small wormholes). Provenance: a few early annotations – inscription recording the gift of Dr. Caspar Schwartz in 1636.
Special notice
No VAT on hammer price or buyer's premium.
Artist: | Hartmann Schedel (1440 - 1514) |
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Place of origin: | Western Europe, Germany, Europe |
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Artist: | Hartmann Schedel (1440 - 1514) |
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Place of origin: | Western Europe, Germany, Europe |
Auction house category: | Printed books |
Address of auction |
CHRISTIE'S 8 King Street, St. James's SW1Y 6QT London United Kingdom | |
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Preview |
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Phone | +44 (0)20 7839 9060 | |
Buyer Premium | see on Website | |
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
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