Liber Chronicarum [Nuremberg Chronicles].

First edition of the most fully realized illustrated book of the fifteenth century and one of the most impressive volumes ever published. Imperial folio, bound in three quarter calf with five raised bands to the spine, morocco title labels lettered in gilt to the spine and front panel, copiously illustrated with 1,809 splendid woodcuts by Wohlgemuth and Pleydenwurff (the teachers of Durer), some full page, others double-page, illustrating Schedel's year-by-year account of notable events in world history from the Creation to the year of publication, including the creation of Adam and Eve, birth of Jesus Christ, invention of printing at Mainz, exploration of the Atlantic and of Africa, as well as references to the game of chess and medical curiosities, including what is believed to be the first depiction of Siamese twins. Drawn by the author from multiple medieval and Renaissance sources, such as Bede, Vincent of Beauvais, Martin of Tropau, Flavius Blondus, Bartolomeo Platina, and Philippus de Bergamo (Iacopo Filippo Foresta), the Chronicle also incorporates geographical and historical information on European countries and towns. The colophon on 266r includes the names of Wohlgemuth and Pleydenwurff and 1493 as the date of publication. The Nuremberg Chronicles is especially famed for its series of over 1,800 woodcuts depicting biblical subjects, classical and medieval history, and a large series of city views in Europe and the Middle East including Jerusalem Byzantium, Augsburg, Bamberg, Basel, Cologne, Nuremberg, Rome, Ulm, and Vienna. Includes the double-page map of Europe showing the British Isles, Iceland and Scandinavia, the double-page map of Germany, and and the three numbered blank leaves, intended for the recording of post-publication history (f. 259, 260 & 261). The woodcut of Pope Joan (f.169, verso) and text relating to it are unmutilated. 323 leaves instead of 326, lacking the xylographic title page and two pages of the index which have been supplied. A very good example of this monumental achievement in the history of printing which has survived over five centuries.