The first illustrated world history: Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493

The Nuremberg Chronicle follows the story of human history as related in the Bible. It was written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel (1440-1514) a classic polymath. According to a 1498 inventory, his library included works of grammar, logic, rhetoric, astronomy, astrology, mathematics, philosophy, plus works relating to his studies in medicine, surgery, the history of science, religion and theology. 

The chronicle is one of the best-documented early printed books -an incunabulum (printed, not hand-written) -and one of the first to successfully integrate illustrations and text. 

Here are some of the amazing illustrations for this fantastic book:

 

The one-foot pigmy or sciapod

The hermaphrodite

Siamese twins

Strange "headless people"

Strange "four-eyed" people

This is entertainment at its best! But remember, Schedel is just transmitting popular beliefs. The book is a a compendium of wondrous and exciting creatures populating the unknown world.

There are about 1,200 copies of the book left: 800 in latin 400 in german. 

Think of early natural history and anthropology. 

Here is a wonderful website dedicated to the book.