MAP, Laconia, Greece, Schonsperger

Laconia, Greece. Johann Schonsperger, Lacedemonia, from Liber Chronicarum, 1500 (circa). Hand Color. This fine sheet contains the history of Greece with a fanciful view of the ancient city of Lacedemonia, the city-state whose capital was Sparta. On verso are portraits of three Greek gods including Mercury and three Amazones or armed women warriors. On a sheet of German text measuring 7.0 x 9.8". This leaf is from a rare reduced edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle, that is often called the Mini-Schedel or the Augsburg Chronicle.

Hartmann Schedel's Nuremberg Chronicle, published in 1493, presented the history of the world in a pictorial encyclopedia. Among the illustrations were views of towns and cities throughout Europe and the Near East, and an enormous number of other subjects, including diagrams of the Creation, comets, family trees, portraits & biblical scenes. The folio Chronicle was very expensive and thus Johann Schonsperger, who specialized in reprints, saw the opportunity to publish a smaller and less costly version. He published German versions in 1496 & 1500 and a Latin version in 1497. These are often referred to as pirated editions because they were published without the consent of Schedel or the original printer, Anton Koberger.
Dimensions: 3.5 x 5.6 in
Condition Report: Light soiling on a sheet with a medallion watermark and a couple of short tears at bottom with old paper repairs. Grade: B+