FULL TITLE: BASZLER CHRONICK DARIN ALLES WAS SICH IN OBEREN DEUTSCHE LANDEN NICHT NUR IN DER STATT UND xBISTUMBE BASEL VON IHREM URSPRUNG HER NACH ORDNUNG DER ZEITEN IN KIRCHEN UND WELT HANDLEN BIS IN DAS GEGENWIRTIGE M. D. LXXX JAR, BY CHRISTIAN WURSTISEN
Printed by Sebastien Henric Petri, Basel (Bâle), 1580
Description: Very rare 16th century chronicle of Basel, 1st edition, printed by Sebastien Henric Petri Basel, 1580. Engraved emblematic printer's device of Sebastian Henric Petri. The large scale, compiled 10-year work of the Basler, Christian Wurstisen (1544-1588), is an impressive monument of Swiss historiography. Richly tooled leather over hardboards. Beautifully exquisite front & rear board designs with the faces of personages engraved in a border around a central panel. Thoroughly illustrated with numerous woodcut engravings. Approximately 300 in-text engravings, cut by the Solothurner painter and form-cutter Gregor Sickinger (1558-1631). These woodcuts include coats of arms and religious portraits, as well as coins, a View of Milan, an earthquake, a siege machine, a comet course, etc. Lacks engraved title, otherwise complete text including forward.
The text illustrations include depictions of historical events, portraits and coats of arms of the city-based nobility and citizenship, with the corresponding colors being marked by letters for the first time. Printed in German Gothic script. Tooled metal clasps. Spine with four raised cords. Embellished with dainty engraved capitals & end-pieces. Delightful ex-libris bookplate.
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CONDITION: Good condition; book unfortunately lacking its title page, as well as lacking the 3-part map of the Basel region; ex libris bookplate with the name Staehelin, as well as signature dated 1580; first 60 or so pages are in an average state, some restored, one includes a lack that is seen in the photo; text otherwise is correct, with light soiling, wear of edges & parchment-like brittleness, as well as darkening and discoloration of paper; tooled leather boards secure, leather with some deficiencies, minor damages (scratches of leather & scuffing of both boards, as well as a couple of small gouges & a stain on front board), gutters repaired, edges worn & corners bumped, spine with minor damages of leather, 1 inch separation starting at lower front corner & label lacking with sticker in its place (as pictured); working clasps perfectly intact and in good condition. BOOK MEASUREMENTS: 32 cm X 20.5 cm
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