Hartmann Schedel: Nuremberg Chronicle (Jumbo) [Hardcover]

Stephan Fussel (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jumbo | Publication Date: July 24, 2002

In 1493 the most elaborately illustrated book then printed in Europe, the Liber Chronicarum or Weltchronik appeared in print. This major work, by the Nuremberg doctor Hartmann Schedel, generally known as the Nuremberg Chronicle was printed by the foremost printer of the day in Nuremberg, Anton Koberger. It is a history of the world from the Creation to his own day and is remarkable for its illustrations, its graphic design and for its woodcuts and description of cities. The woodcut illustrations include events from the Bible, pictures of human monstrosities, portraits of Kings, Queens, saints and martyrs, and allegorical pictures of miracles. The maps and views, are all by or after the celebrated artists Michael Wohlgemut or Wilhelm Pleydenwurff, and are amongst the earliest printed representations of towns and cities available to us today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Stephan Füssel is Director of the Institute of the History of the Book at the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, and holder of the Gutenberg Chair at the same university. He is President of the Willibald Pirckheimer Society for Renaissance and Humanist Studies, member of the board of the International Gutenberg Society and editor of the annual Gutenberg Jahrbuch and Pirckheimer Jahrbuch. He has published widely on early printing, on bookselling and publishing from the 18th to the 20th century, and on the future of communications.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Taschen (July 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3822812951
• ISBN-13: 978-3822812952
• Product Dimensions: 13.7 x 9.6 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,957,582 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most beautiful book you'll ever own, August 2, 2002

By 

Xaphire (Enschede, the Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hartmann Schedel: Nuremberg Chronicle (Jumbo) (Hardcover)

Wow. This is a stunning book. I'm a real book-o-holic but this is the first book I feel priviliged to own. If you're interested in the medieval period this should really be in your bookcase. Or maybe even in a display case.

The book is a reprint of a 1493 chronicle. The entire history up until then is covered through their eyes, including, of course, the bible. Since Columbus hadn't returned yet, the discovery of the Americas isn't even covered yet, a fact that really made me feel in touch with just how old this chronicle really is.

I especially like the way the chronicle reflects the renaissance spirit, neatly weaving the long-known stories of the bible, the rediscovered Greek and Roman sagas (Illias etc) and 'modern' history into one coherent chronicle.

A slight warning, however: if you want an easy-to-read history book, you'd better shop around some more. The letters are gothic, and the chronicle itself is in middle-German. The introduction is in English however, and the woodcarvings are beautiful enough to warrant buying this book even if you can't make out exactly what it says.

If you ever want to buy someone who loves (medieval) history a special gift, get him/her this book. You'll make a friend for life :-)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's been a while since I drooled in a book store..., December 22, 2002

By 

chromatic-aberration (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hartmann Schedel: Nuremberg Chronicle (Jumbo) (Hardcover)

If you're here, and know what the heck this book is, then I can readily recommend that you snap it up without reservation. Seriously now, how often do things like this get reprinted? The Liber chronicarum isn't exactly mass market, now is it? ;) There really are only two drawbacks to this edition. First, the cover is an artificial suede that is -really- suceptiable to damage. Be careful with it, and consider making or purchasing some sort of cover for it. The second drawback is merely personal preference - this edition reproduces a hand-colored version of the text. This book is absolutely beautiful in it's reproduction, but I've never been a big fan of colored woodcuts. If you like your woodcuts chromatically enabled, all the better.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another exquisite book from Taschen, May 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Hartmann Schedel: Nuremberg Chronicle (Jumbo) (Hardcover)

It isn't necessary to be familiar with old German to appreciate the beauty of this book. It is a wonderful object just to look at.

The one drawback for me is the colouring of the woodcuts. I enjoy coloured woodcuts, but unfortunately the job of colouring these was given to someone unusually inept, a genuine 15th Century donut, who performed the task with neither ability nor care.

But you have to go with what you can get - and this book is still worth it.