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SCHONSPERGER, Johann : Engellannd oder Bryttania/ Engelland

265 x 180 mm., each (leaf size) TWO LEAVES, with minor soiling, 'xlviii' with small tear upper margin, 'CCCxxi' with two small holes, otherwise in good condition.

These views are a reduced version of the Schedel views of England and CONSIDERABLY RARER. Hartmann Schedel's 'Nuremberg Chronicle' was first published in Nuremberg in 1493. The book was published at the height of the Renaissance. Schedel was a physician and editor of the text which is a year-by-year account of notable events in world history from the creation down to the year of publication, with special emphasis on ominous and portentous events including the invention of printing. It was at the time it was the most profusely illustrated book ever published. There was a later issue with German text published in December of the same year. In the work were two views of England, BOTH OFFERED HERE. Angela Fordham in her article on Town Plans of the British Isles states that the image is believed to be a representation of Dover. However more recent thinking is that they are generic illustrations. The accompanying text describes “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” (Moreland & Bannister).The entire text is translated in Moreland and Bannister. In 1497 Johann Schonsperger first published a reduced sized version of the German edition, many of the illustrations were derived from the larger work. A Latin edition would follow in 1497. Obviously sold at a lower price than the folio the work put an end to a scheme to republish the original by Sebald Schreyer, one of its financial backers. Brunet 1 1861; cf Church 7; 14; Fordham (1965). ‘Town Plans of the British Isles’, in ‘Map Collectors’ Circle’ no. 22 p. 3; Graesse II 139; cf Harrisse; ISTC is00310000; Moreland & Bannister pp. 22-4 text translation; Sabin 77526; Shirley (1988). Printed Maps of the British Isles 1650-1750. 6a.(1).