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Nuremberg Chronicle [Liber chronicarum], 1493 (Germany)

 File — Folder: 2
Identifier: Folder 2

Scope and Contents

2 leaves from the [i]Nuremberg Chronicle[/i], Folios 67r and 67v, 248r and 248v.  Folio numbers present on the recto side in roman numerals. Folio 67r and 67v: The murder of Abner by Joab. “A severe battle soon afterward occurred at Gibeon, between the army of David under Joab, and the army of Ish-bosheth under Abner, in which the latter was utterly defeated. Abner was afterward killed by Joab.” “…Joab returned; and hearing what had been done, he went to the king and warned him against Abner as a spy and traitor.  Soon after, and without David’s knowledge, Joab sent for Abner; and when he arrived, too him aide privately and murdered him in revenge of the death of his brother, Asahel.” Woodcuts on 67r: Woodcut depicting Joab murdering Abner. Woodcut of Gad, Nathan, and Aseph. Woodcut depicting David’s sons that were born to him in Jerusalem: Salma, Saba, Nathan, Solomon, Jabaar, Helisua, Nepheg, Japhia, Helisama, Helida, Helifeleth. Woodcut on 67v: “Solomon Rex, although shown at full length, appears as a rather diminutive figure. His body is dwarfed, his head is large, and the crown he wears is of greater diameter than the king himself from shoulder to shoulder. He carries the orb and scepter, and is clad in an embroidered and fur trimmed robe.  His footwear is rather meager, and he gives the appearance of having stepped forth in his stocking-feet.” Folio 268r and 268v: “A narration of the historical events transpiring throughout Germany and Europe under Emperor Frederick III, together with a description of the places, written by the most worthy in God, Aeneas Piccolomini, cardinal of St. Sabine, to Cardinal Antonio of Hilerda.” “Of Hungary and the History Thereof.” Discusses the history and geography of Hungary.  Woodcut on 268v: Beautiful woodcut depicting Hungary. Citation: [url=http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=nur;cc=nur;view=toc;idno=nur.001.0004]http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=nur;cc=nur;view=toc;idno=nur.001.0004[/url] The Nuremberg Chronicle is considered the first book that successfully integrates printed illustration into a text, and it is most famous for its cityscapes.  It is an incunable and was printed by Anton Koberger.  The author is Hartmann Schedel, and the artists are Michael Wohlgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff.  625 separate woodcuts were designed for the chronicle, and approximately 2500 copies were made in Latin and German. Printed in Latin in Antiqua Rotunda type with black ink on paper. Folio 268 has a double cross watermark. Click here for an example of the watermark: [u][url=http://www.beloit.edu/nuremberg/inside/about/watermarks.htm]http://www.beloit.edu/nuremberg/inside/about/watermarks.htm[/url][/u] The woodcuts have not been colored. Chain lines are present. [12”X17.25”]

Dates

  • 1440 - late 19th/early 20th Century

Language of Materials

From the Collection: Collection material is in English, Latin, and Chinese.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.50 Cubic Feet

Physical Storage Information

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository

http://www.lib.purdue.edu/spcol
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