Erhard Ratdolt, 1485

ROLEWINCK, Werner (1425-1502). Fasciculus temporum. Venice: Erhard Ratdolt, 8 September 1485.

Ratdolt's fifth and last edition of Rolewinck's chronological history of the world—one of the earliest examples of a hypertext, with annotations. The chronology follows a double timeline, measuring time from both the Creation and the birth of Christ, demanding a remarkably complex typographical layout and utilizing “a system of coordinated circles to locate biblical, classical, and modern rulers and writers in the flow of historical time" (Grafton). Reprinted numerous times in the 15th century, each publisher improved on Rolewinck’s innovative graphic design and added more items to the timeline, bringing it up to date. This copy contains the marginalia of an enterprising annotator who has called out some things omitted by the author and inserted Pope Joan into the chronology of the popes. Goff R-271; Bod-inc R-121; BMC V 290; BSB-Ink R-247; GW M38738. See also Anthony Grafton and Daniel Rosenberg, Cartographies of Time (2013).

Chancery folio (299 x 204mm). 74 leaves. Woodcuts throughout (a few stains, title a little soiled with some small repairs, neat repair to blank area at end). Later half vellum and decorated paper boards. Provenance: extensive contemporary and later annotations – Guillaume Bonne Année, curate of Fontenay (gift inscription noting donation to:) – Ste Trinité, monastery of the Celestines at Limay near Mantes (also later ownership inscription).