[LICHTENBERGER, Johannes, i.e. Johannes Grünbach (c. 1440-1503)]. Prognosticatio in Latino. [Heidelberg: Heinrich Knoblochtzer, after 1 April 1488].

[LICHTENBERGER, Johannes, i.e. Johannes Grünbach (c. 1440-1503)]. Prognosticatio in Latino. [Heidelberg: Heinrich Knoblochtzer, after 1 April 1488].

First edition of one of the most wide-spread and influential astrological-prophetic texts of the late Middle-Ages and early-modern era. No copy is recorded in ABPC or RBH. Lichtenberger’s renown as a court astrologer and horoscope maker to princes made his predictions remarkably authoritative and sought-after. This, his opus magnum, begins with a treatise on the nature of prophetic astrology, then delves into three aspects: the destiny of the Church, the future of the Empire (including the threat from the Turks), and the fate of the laity with predictions up to the year 1576. A dramatically prominent feature of this work, the large woodcuts were executed in meticulous observance of the author’s captions, and rather than being merely decorative play a role integral to the meaning of the book, a necessary complement to the text: ‘From its first edition in 1488, Lichtenberger’s Prognosticatio had a distinctive graphic identity. Later publishers treated its illustrations as an essential element of the work in a way that was not true of other printed prophetic works. …Although Martin Luther saw little of value in the astrologer’s art, he conceded in his preface to the 1527 edition that Lichtenberger’s predictions had partially come to pass: “He hit the mark in several things, and came especially near with the pictures and images, much more so than with the words.”[…] The Prognosticatio woodcuts offered readers a private and individual participation in the prophetic vision, which helped preserve the image sequence in later editions (J. Green, Printing and Prophecy - Prognostication and Media Change 1450-1550, U. of Michigan Press, 2012, pp.85-6). Hain-Copinger, 10080; BMC II, p. 532; ISTC il00204000; GW M18217; Goff 1964, L 204; Schreiber 4499; see Schramm XV, figs. 1099-1141 (Mainz 1492 edition).

Folio (290 x 207mm). 38 leaves, including the final blank (quire E misbound between A and B). 43 lines. With 45 woodcut illustrations (title and last leaf dusty and a little loose, tiny hole to woodcut in A6, a few corners skillfully repaired, some light marginal browning, some worming towards the end). Modern brown morocco; preserved in a green half morocco custom-made box. Provenance: S. S. Brunschwig (1882-1970; his leather bookplate gilt ‘SSB’ on pastedown. His library was sold at Rauch, Geneva, 28-30 March 1955, l. 25; also vente 31, 18 June 1962, lot 13). - Schweinfurt, Otto Schäfer collection (OS 579, acquired in December 1967 from Martin Breslauer).

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