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Description

Left half of the scarce incunable view of the Island of Rhodes, from Von Breydenbach's Peregrinatio in Terram Sanctam, first published in Mainz in 1486.

Breydenbach's work is the first illustrated travel book ever printed and the earliest printed work to include accurate topographical depictions.

Bernhard von Breydenbach, a wealthy canon of the cathedral at Mainz, compiled the work during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 1483-4. Breydenbach was accompanied by Erhard Reuwich, an artist from Utrecht, who is credited as maker of the map and the six views of Mediterranean towns which accompany the book, Iraklion, Modoni, Rhodes and Venice, Corfu and Parenzo.

The Peregrinatio was the first illustrated travel book to be printed. It also broke new ground with the Palestine map and the four large views, which are the first folding plates to appear in a printed book. Reuwich is also the first illustrator to be named in print and his prospects are considered to be the earliest authentic printed town views.

Condition Description
Left half only
Bernard Von Breydenbach Biography

Bernhard von Breydenbach (1440-1497), Dean of Mainz, authored a preeminent narrative of his pilgrimage to the Holy Land, which was the first to be printed with views of the places visited en route. Breydenbach demonstrated considerable foresight by employing a talented artist to create accurate and captivating illustrations of the locations from Venice to Mount Sinai. These illustrations greatly contributed to the book's popularity and interest. Initially published in Latin, the book was soon translated into German and Flemish, likely under the Dean's direction. Subsequent editions and translations into other languages were published independently over a 36-year period.

Born into the noble line of Breidenbach-Büresheim, Breydenbach was the son of Gerlach von Breidenbach. In 1450, he became a Canon of Mainz, proving his nobility to the Chapter on October 4. He also held positions as a member of the Ritterstift of St. Alban and the Collegiatstift of Our Lady. Furthermore, he served as a Doctor of Laws, Protonotary to the Apostolic Chair, Chamberlain to the Courts of Justice (1477-1493), and from 1484, the Dean of the Cathedral. Although he was a Canon, it seems that he was not ordained as a priest even by 1483.

Breydenbach's pilgrimage took place from April 25, 1483, to the end of January 1484. On October 1, 1484, he was commissioned by the Pope to transmit the pallium from Rome to the newly-elected Archbishop of Mainz. In the relevant document, he is referred to as the Dean. In 1486, Breydenbach accompanied the Archbishop, to whom the Itinerarium is dedicated, to Aachen for the coronation of Emperor Maximilian I on April 9th. The Archbishops of Mainz traditionally had the right to crown the German Emperors.