De Imagine Mundi

Honorius Augustodunensis. De Imagine Mundi. Nuremberg: [Anton Koberger, 1472?].
American Geographical Society Collection - Rare Book Room

Honorius of Autun is called the "great unknown" in twelfth century church history due to a lack of any concrete knowledge on his life. Scholars generally agree, however, that he flourished in Regensburg, Germany. His work De Imagine Mundi contains information on geography, climatology, chronology and traces the history of the world from Adam to Emperor Frederic I.

Anton Koberger opened the second press in Nuremberg in 1471 and built a thriving business reputed to have twenty-four presses run by over 100 printers. He was the first publisher to rise in social standing as a result of his craft, marrying into the local aristocracy and becoming a member of the town council. Koberger was known for the high quality of his illustrations and illuminations produced by his own artists-in-residence.

Capitals are illuminated in red and blue throughout.