Theuerdank Nuremberg, 1517

The first edition of the Theuerdank - gift copy of Emperor Maximilian I. The Theuerdank. Melchior Pfintzing & Marx Treitzsauerwein: "The peculiarities and, in part, of the tales of the lucky streytparen and the most exalted hero and of the knight of Tewrdannck." Printed in Nuremberg by Johann Schönsperger d.Ä., 1517. Schönsperger (c. 1455-1521) had been an imperial court printer in Nuremberg since 1508. Significant first edition of one of the most famous illustrated works of the Frühraissance with the legendary Heldenepos around the noble Ritter Theuerdank. The work celebrates in an idealized way the heroic adventures and deeds of the young Emperor Maximilian until his marriage to Maria of Burgundy. The Theory is the only work of the "mediaeval imperial heroicism," which was completed during the emperor's lifetime and appeared at that time. The "Weisskunigk", the unfinished allegorical "Autobiography" of Emperor Maximilian I, did not appear until 1775 in Vienna and the Holy Pose "Images de Saints Maximilian I" even later. In the year 1517 about 40 copies of Theuerdank in folio format appeared on valuable parchment, as well as 300 copies on paper. The parchment copies were intended as gifts for high-ranking personalities in the area of ​​Maximilian. Maximilian promoted the legendary formation of his own person, who mastered all threats carefully, wisely and bravely. His constant companions on the adventures are Fürwitz, Unfall and Neidhard; These represent the three vices of arrogance, presumptuousness and envy. 289 (of 290) sheet, there is missing the sheet H8 with the wood cut No. 98, otherwise completely. He Theuerdank is considered an extraordinarily significant work of the book-printing art. The extraordinary typography was designed by Vinzenz Rockner, whose form had been modeled at the Emperor's request, in the handwriting used in his office. Original, blindly embossed, probably South German calfskin cover over massive wooden covers, dated 1543. Large portfolio: 39 x 27 x 7 cm. Cover and book block were extensively professionally restored. Provenance: "SPEFRVOR ETFATO: Leopoldus Grabner zu Rosenberg - 1547". "Leopold Grabner von Rosenberg (+1610) is one of the most important representatives of the Protestant nobility in Austria and important for the history of the Reformation in this country. The second ex-libris refers to Job (Jakob) Hartmann Freiherr En (n) grandson of Albrechtsburg (04.09.1576 - 09.02.1627), with which this ancient family, especially in Lower Austria, emigrated. He was a chamberlain of the Emperor Rudolf II and Matthias, district administrator in the Archduke of Austria, the Enns and the regimental council of the Lower Austrian Land.