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A genuine 1496 incunable leaf from the Nuremberg Chronicle (Liber Chronicarum), one of the most celebrated early printed works in history. Printed in Nuremberg by Anton Koberger, this page exemplifies the artistry and craftsmanship of Europe’s first great printing houses.This original 15th-century folio leaf (approx. 11 x 8 in) displays four beautifully detailed woodcut portraits of notable Popes and Bishops, including:Pope Boniface VIII and Pope Benedict XI, each identified by name in the textTwo further clerical portraits of bishops or cardinals rendered in striking Gothic lineworkPrinted in bold blackletter type, typical of the German vernacular edition---📜 DetailsDate: 1496Printer: Anton Koberger, NurembergLanguage: Early German (Fraktur Gothic type)Dimensions: Approx. 11 x 8 inches (28 x 20 cm)Condition: Toned margins with mild water staining at the lower edge; small patch repair to the bottom margin and gentle age-related wear. Ink remains bold and woodcuts sharp.Provenance: From a disbound, incomplete example of the Nuremberg Chronicle — no book was destroyed to offer this page.Collection marking in pencil visible at lower margin.
🖼️ Framing Option
All pieces can be professionally framed upon request with archival acid-free matting and UV-protective acrylic, ready for museum or home display.
---✨ Historical Context
The Nuremberg Chronicle (1493–1496) was one of the first printed world histories, combining text and illustration on an unprecedented scale. Its hundreds of woodcuts, created in the workshop of Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff (teachers of Albrecht Dürer), depict kings, saints, popes, and ancient cities. Each leaf serves as a bridge between the manuscript and printing eras — an enduring testament to the Renaissance spirit of learning.
