This, the first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, details the history of the world through the year of its publication, in 1493, along with a final section describing the anticipated last days. The text was compiled by Hartmann Schedel and was printed at the press of Anton Koberger. The Nuremberg Chronicle contains 1,800 woodcut illustrations by Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff. Along with detailed maps and views of major European cities, the woodcuts depict exotic (and often highly embellished) flora and fauna, monsters, mythical tribes and peoples, biblical scenes, and settings from everyday life around the then-known world.

Imprint based on second colophon (leaf [CCC]r): "... Ad intuitum autem et preces providorum civium Sebaldi Schreyer et Sebastiani Kamermaister hunc librum dominus Anthonius Koberger Nuremberge impressit. Adhibitis tamen viris mathematicis pingendique arte peritissimis Michaele Wolgemut et Wilhelmo Pleydenwurff quarum solerti, accuratissimaque animadversione tum civitatum tum illustrium virorum figure inserte sunt. Consummatum autem duodecima mensis Julij anno salutis no[st]re 1493."

Signatures: [1-2⁶ 3⁸ 4⁶ 5-7⁴ 8-11⁶ 12² 13⁴ 14-16⁶ 17² 18-19⁶ 20-25⁴ 26-29⁶ 30² 31⁶ 32⁴ 33-35⁶ 36² 37⁴ 38-61⁶]

Imperial folio; tables and parts of text in double columns, [4]₈ (i.e. fol. 28) verso: 64 lines plus headline, 352 (366) x 223 mm; types: 165 (headlines and headings), 110(b) (text); xylographic title page; 1809 woodcuts printed from 645 blocks; initial spaces.

Foliation: [20], CCXCIX, [9]. Leaves XXXIX, CCXXIX, and CCXLVII misnumbered XIXX, CCXXXI, and CCXLXVII respectively.

Goff, F.R. Incunabula in American libraries, S307

Catalogue of books printed in the XVth century now in the British Museum, II, 437

Incunabula short title catalogue, is00307000

COPY NOTE: Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy Q.400a.2 imperfect: leaves CCLVIII-CCLX and CCC (all blanks) wanting. Leaf dimensions: 423 x 300 mm.

PROVENANCE: Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy Q.400a.2: on front pastedown: autograph of Theodore Parker with inscription in his hand, BPL Parker bookplate, two early inscriptions, and two 19th-century dealer's descriptions. [1]₁ recto: ownership inscriptions of "Domus Emersoni", “Valentinus Herbst[?]”, and "Thomas Höflich[?]"; another early inscription giving the date and imprint of the edition, and ink stamp of F.W. Christern. Early/contemporary marginalia throughout. Acquired via the Parker bequest in Oct. 1861.

BINDING: Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) copy Q.400a.2 FOLIO bound in early/contemporary tawed pigskin over bevelled wooden boards with brass cornerpieces, clasps, and catches.

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