Nuremberg & KJB
Two of the most famous early printed books will be in the same saleroom this week. At Bonhams Printed Books and Manuscripts sale on Wednesday, a fine first edition of the Nuremberg Chronicle (seen above), printed by Anton Koberger in July of 1493, should be the star of the show. A breathtaking book and one of the first to combine text and illustration, it is a history of the world illustrated by more than 1800 woodcuts. About four hundred of the Latin editions are extant. The estimate is £25,000-30,000 ($40,000-$50,000).
The second big title is the first edition of the King James Bible, which happens to be celebrating its four-hundredth anniversary this year. This copy has some condition issues; still, as a masterpiece of the English language, printed by Robert Barker, it's quite a valuable book. The estimate is £6,000-8,000 ($9,800-13,000).
The second big title is the first edition of the King James Bible, which happens to be celebrating its four-hundredth anniversary this year. This copy has some condition issues; still, as a masterpiece of the English language, printed by Robert Barker, it's quite a valuable book. The estimate is £6,000-8,000 ($9,800-13,000).
