Augsburg Chronicle

Author Dr. Hartmann Schedel German, 1440 - 1514

Publisher Johann Schoensperger ca. 1455 - before 1521

Date1497

Place of OriginGermany

MediumWoodcuts, typeset text, laid paper, leather (kidskin?) binding

DimensionsOverall: 12 1/2 x 8 1/2 x 3 in. (31.8 x 21.6 x 7.6 cm)

ClassificationsBooks

Credit LineBequest of Charlotte Pruyn Hyde

Object number1971.111

On View

Not on view

Inscribed"LIBER/CRONICARUM/1497" in dark brown/black ink on the spine of the off-white leather (kidskin? looks like a heavy vellum) binding. The binding appears to be very similar to those that appear on the website page for the library of the Church of San Francesco della Vigna in Venice (see object files and Marks in this record). The collection stamp on page 4 of this volume appears to indicate that the church library was once the repository of this volume. Correspondence with the Library is underway to verify this (7/27/2011). On verso of front cover: ---a printed book plate of Gilbert Redgrave, "Ex libris Gilbert R. Redgrave, London 1888" ---extensive notes in the same hand and signed with Regrave's initials: "Brit. Museum 1B.6361/Types 300 titles, 150 headlines and headings/Text 87." "A fine copy of the famous "Augsburg Chronicle," printed by Johann Schensperger. Anno Domini 1497. (Febry1) (307 mm)./Hain 14509/Proctor 1786/This chronicle is much rarer than the Nuremberg Chronicle./It contains the registrum [index] and the map often wanting. It is por (?)ed on Schedle's Nuremburg Chronicle of 1493/Schensperger issued the chronicle in German in 1496 Copineger's Collation is incorrect-V.Reister at the end of this work. GRR [Gilbert R. Regrave]/ See Crane on Cologne Cathedral f.c." [this final phrase of Redgrave's note seems to refer the Chronicle's plate for the city of Cologne and specifically to a wooden construction crane that was used on the Cologne Cathedral and continued in place for centuries while the tallest towers remained incomplete. The crane became a symbol of Cologne (when the towers were completed in the 19th century it was the world's tallest building until the Washington Monument was finished). The date of the crane has been argued over time and here Redgrave seems to be making his own comment about that, indicating that it was clearly in existence in 1497.] Title page: In large black printed gothic font "LIBER CRONICARUM/UM figuris et y ma/gnibus ab inicio mu/di usque nunc temporis" followed below in faded brown ink, handwritten S (? followed by 2 or three letters then) urtmanni Schedel/[illegible] Jeogdr__ube/Anno Cr (or r?) M.CCCC.XCVII"

Markings"[Fran]CESCO ALLA VIGNA" lettered in the border of an black ink stamped oval (1 3/16" h/ 3 cm) on the lower edge of the fourth page. This appears to be an owner's/collectors stamp. In the center of the oval is an heraldic-type device of a cross with two arms oriented diagonally one on each side of the cross springing up from the cross base. The lower and left side of the oval were poorly stamped so the remainder of the text and design of the device are unclear. It is possible that the lower part has bunches of grapes which would relate to the Alla Vigna (in the vineyard) in the border. This stamp appears to associate this volume with the historical library of the Church of San Francesco Della Vigna (its present name) in Venice. The white binding with black gothic-style handlettering on the spine appears to be very similar to those that appear on the website page for the library of that church (see printout in object file and notes under Marks in this record). See Provenance for further discussion

DescriptionThe Augsburg Chronicle, so-called, is a smaller scale, less expensive "reprint" of its predecessor, the Nuremberg Chronicle (see 1971.110). Both are encyclopedias of world history as understood at the time with the early history in particular based on biblical references.The page size and illustrations are smaller than the Nurembergin black and white. Although popular at the time, is has been less revered by collectors and it is believed that fewer Augsburg Chronicles remain extant.

The cover is made of cream-colored colored leather, possibly kid or goat. Both the front and the back cover are undecorated and the only decoration on the spine is the title, “LIBER/CRONICARUM/1497” written in black ink. See Notes for further details re binding and provenance.

On the verso of the front cover is a book plate from the bibliographer, draughtsman and art historian Gilbert R. Redgrave (British, 1844 – 1941) dated 1888.

All of the images are woodcut and the text is set with moveable type (typeset).

The German spelling for Schoensperger is Schönsperger.Exhibition History"A Passion for the Printed Word: The Book Collection of Louis Hyde," Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, Aug. 11 - Nov. 3, 2002.

"Worth A Thousand Words: The Art of Illustration from The Hyde Collection," Hoopes Gallery, The Hyde Collection, October 28, 2011 - Feb. 19, 2012.

"Making History: The Nuremberg and Augsburg Chronicles", Whitney-Renz Gallery, The Hyde Collection, November 10, 2018-December 30, 2018ProvenanceLetters of inquiry written after Louis Hyde's purchase of the Hyde Collection copy of the Nuremberg Chronicle (1971.110) are dated 1931. He may have acquired the Augsuburg Chronicle after that purchase, as an interesting supplemental work essentially 'reprinted' based directly on the original version published in Nuremberg. [A search in August, 2011, by intern C. Daly, of Mr. Hyde's transcribed journals for this period, did not find any entries related to the acquisition of the Augsburg Chron. A search of correspondence should be done]

1888: dated notes and the bookplate of Gilbert Richard Redgrave, English, 1844-1924, on the interior cover (see Inscriptions). Redgrave, an architect, art historian and bibliophile was president of the Bibliographical Society (of London) in 1908. His collection of incunabula was auctioned by Sotheby's on May 3rd and 4th, 1926.

ca. 1750 to possibly as early as 1497 (date of publication): An early book collection stamp described under Marks can be found on the fourth page of our copy of the Chronicle. Correspondence in July and August, 2011, with Fr. Rino Sgarbossa of the Biblioteca San Francesco della Vigna has confirmed that the stamp is that of the library at the friary and convent (and church) of San Francesco della Vigna in Venice. The Fransiscan friary library was in existence as early as 1437, the friary itself created in 1256 through the gift of land, including a vineyard, by a Venetian aristrocrat, Marco Ziani. In his replies to my email queries (full copies in object file), Fr. Sgarabossa states that the stamp is definitely that of the friary library and except for minor differences is the design still in use today. In addition he sent a jpg of an entry in a circa 1750 library catalogue describing the Augsburg Chronicle. The friary was confiscated and the library was dispersed ca. 1810 under the Napoleonic suppression of religious orders when the buildings of the friary and convent were turned into military barracks. In his email of Aug 8, 2011 he states "The library was dispersed: depending on the typology, the books are allocated to various 'government' libraries or put out on sale to private customers. It is certainly at this time that the book 'left' our library." Of further note, the design of the present church of San Francesco Alla Vigna is by Andrea Palladio.