Joshua StorieNuremberg Chronicle
Author/Compiler: Hartmann Schedel
Collection: Gregory S. Javitch Collection
Year: 1493
Call Number: [In transit]
The second most famous book of the 15th century is the Nuremberg Chronicle, a history of the world through a Christian lens. In more than 300 pages filled with heavy black type and intricate woodcut illustrations, the text tells a story of creation, the birth of Christ, contemporary history, and the end of the world. Approximately 645 wooden blocks were carved to create more than 1,800 illustrations of biblical and mythological scenes, bishops, kings, and cities. The only image without accompanying text is an homage to Nuremberg, where the book was printed (the paper mill that created the chronicle’s cotton rag paper can be seen in the bottom right corner.) More than 2,000 copies of the chronicle were printed in the 15th century and half of them survive today.
“This was one of the first successful pairings of so many illustrations with printed text. It’s really beautifully laid out and a pleasure to read.” — Robert Desmarais, Head Special Collections Librarian, Bruce Peel Special Collections & Archives
