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The Stuart and Mimi Rose Collection /

The Nuremberg Chronicle

Item 13E

The Nuremberg Chronicle

1493
First Edition
Incunabula
Hand-Colored Illustrations

Printers in the late 1400s began to use large formats and detailed illustrations so that more people would be eager to buy their books. The Nuremberg Chronicle is a complete history of the Christian world, commissioned by the Nuremberg merchants Sebald Schreyer and Sebastian Kammermeister. This Latin edition was produced first for religious and political buyers; a German edition followed later in the same year. The many woodcut illustrations in this copy have been colored by hand with inks and paints.

An open ancient book displaying an ornately designed title page with elaborate, gothic-style calligraphy. The calligraphy features intricate flourishes and swirls. The bottom of the page appears to have additional handwritten notes or signatures in ink with the year 1855 visible.
An open antique book showing a detailed illustration of a medieval town featuring buildings, a tall central cathedral, and lush greenery. The text above the illustration is in an ornate Gothic script. The book's pages are yellowed with age, and it has wooden covers with metal clasps.
An open antique book displays a colorful medieval illustration of a walled city with a multitude of buildings, towers, and spires. The cityscape, labeled

What will you discover next?

Giovanni Boccaccio The Decameron
Detail from an old manuscript page shows medieval Latin text in black ink. An ornate, large blue

More woodcuts?

Go To Item 2C

The Columbus Letter
Detail from historic illustration titled

Voyage undertaken at the time the Nuremberg Chronicle was made?

Go To Item 2A

Return to Rose Collection
A vibrant, symmetrical collage features historical black-and-white photographs of three individuals encircled with colorful floral patterns. The background is filled with intricate designs of butterflies and geometric shapes in shades of teal, coral, and beige.

Return to the Rose Collection

Visit the Folger to see this object on exhibit

Imprints in Time

Imprints in Time

This special exhibition at the Folger features rare books from the collection of Stuart and Mimi Rose that present literary, cultural, and historical high points.
Through Sun, Jan 5, 2025
Plan your visit
Rose Exhibition Hall