This
magnificent fine wood block engraved original antique
view of Anglia - England - which is believed to be an
early representation of London - the earliest known
published view of an English Town or City - was
published in one of the earliest publications the 1493
edition of Liber Chronicarum or Nuremberg
Chronicle by Hartmann Schedel. The Nuremberg Chronicles
were published only 40 years after first moveable type
publication which revolutionised the modern world.
On the verso is a depiction of part of the family tree
of the Kings of Israel: included are Kings Solomon,
David and the Queen of Saba (Sheba).
The woodblock
engravers were Michael Wolgemut, the well-known teacher
of Albrecht Dürer, and his stepson Wilhelm Pleydenwurff.
Wohlgemut was Albrecht Dürer's tutor between 1486-90 and
recent scholarship has shown, Albrecht Dürer may also
have collaborated, since some of the cuts bear a
remarkably close resemblance to the Apocalypse
illustrations.
The printing was carried out under the supervision of
the great scholar-printer Anton Koberger, whose printing
were famous throughout Europe.
The following is a
translation of the Latin Text below the Wood-Cut.
Anglie
Provincia
The
island of England was originally called Albion after
certain white mountains which were seen by those
steering towards it; but was then named Britain
perpetuating the name of a fierce son (Brutus) of
Silvius, the last king of the Latins, who overcame the
giants inhabiting the island. It was called 'Greater'
(Great) Britain to distinguish it from the lesser
Britain (Brittany) of France which adjoins it. Its
present-day name of England is taken from a certain 'Anglus'
who was a powerful king. England forms a triangle
between North and West and is separated from the
continent at all points, beginning near Germany in the
North and extending alongside France and Spain towards
the West. Solinus regarded the French shore as the limit
of this world and the island of Britain almost as
belonging to another. And Virgil thought of it as
separated from the rest of the globe. But Brutus having
decided to settle in England, immediately founded on the
banks of the River Thames a city so well fortified that
it recalled in all its forces the memory of ancient
Troy. This Brutus is said to have had three sons;
Locrinus, Albanetus and Camber and they divided the
island amonst themselves. To Locrinus, the first horn,
fell all of the centre of the kingdom, which later
became known as Lochria after him, and his city of
London is still greatly celebrated for its merchants and
traders. And many say that the Kings and Princes of
England and the Parliament of the people meet to this
day with the merchants there. To the second son
Albanetus fell another part of the island and this was
called 'Albania', but nowadays Scocia (Scotland). This
Scotland occupies the higher part of the island, which
lies towards the North winds and is separated from
England by some smallish rivers and a certain mountain
range. The third son inherited Cambria, now called
Thule, the districts to the North and West which were
the last to be explored by the Romans and where, during
the summer solstice, the sun passes only from the star
of Cancer and there is thus no night; while during the
winter there is no day. The greater part of the Island
is fertile. It is surrounded by many other islands of
some dimensions, the largest of them Hibemia (Ireland)
which is divided from Britain by a narrow channel, and
some smaller ones called the Orchades (Orkneys). The
blessed Pope Gregory, second of this name, sent to
Britain the monks Augustine of Miletus and John with
other men of outstanding character and they first
converted the English. Since then many of their kings
have shone forth for their miracles. The dimensions of
Britain are given by Pythies and Ysidore as 38,075
[square] miles, and in it are many fine rivers,
besides large and varied supplies of metals. Its history
is to be found best described in Bede.
(Ref: Shirley;
M&B; Tooley)
General
Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy and stable
Paper color: - White
Age of map color: -
Colors used: -
General color appearance: -
Paper size: - 18in x 12in (460mm x 305mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (12mm)
Imperfections:
Margins: - None
Plate area: - None
Verso: - None
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