Thrace and Turkey, from the Nuremberg Chronicle. Woodblock.
Germany: Anton Koberger, ca 1460-1494. First edition. Liber chronicarum- Nuremberg Chronicle, an individual page from the Chronicle featuring Thrace and Turkey, Plate No. CCLXXI.
This work by Schedel [1440-1514] is an illustrated world history which is based on the Bible, which follows the story of human history related in the Bible and includes the histories of a number of important Western cities. Written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel it appeared in 1493. It is a well documented incunabulum, one of the first to successfully combine illustrations and text.
This epic history divides human history into 7 ages. Published and printed by Anton Koberger, the godfather of Albrecht Durer and the most successful German publisher of his day. The woodcut illustrations were made in the workshop of Michael Wolgemut [1434 - 1519], with an unpredcedented number of 1,809 illustrations. These woodblocks include views of cities and towns, battles, kings, and saints. Some images represent actual cities, and other images are purely imaginative.
This page has two beautiful images on front and verso - too difficult to decide which is more interesting. Recto side describes Thrace or Thracia which "is a vast province or country. To the East is the Euxine Sea, to the South the Aegean, the river Strymon and the Macedonian plains; to the North is the Danube, and to the West the Paeonian Mountains, Hungary and the Save." The image is very detailed with a twisted tree in the foreground and many buildings in three walled clusters separated by hills. Text continues on the verso describing the heresies against the Christian faith that took place in Thrace "the one that endured the longest was that concerning the exit of the Holy Ghost" and the entrance of the Turks in Troy... The image here showing a 'sea of cities' - 8 or more cities or regions surrounded by water with sailing ships in the seas. Approximately 12 x 17 1/4", b & w, some rubbing and ruffling at margin, reinforced archivally at upper right corner, two very small ancient worm holes center of page, otherwise very clean. Very good condition. Item #21682
Price: $750.00