HERTZOG (Bernhard) - Chronicon Alsatiae. Edelsasser... Lot 415

HERTZOG (Bernhard) - Chronicon Alsatiae. Edelsasser Cronick und aussfürliche beschreibung des untern Elsasses am Rheinstrom, auch desselben fürnemmer Stätt, als Strassburg, Schletstatt, Hagenaw, Weissenburg, und anderer der enden gelegener Stätt, Schlösser, Clöster, Stifft, Märckt, Flecken und Dörffer (...). Strasbourg, Jobin, 1592; in-folio, 8 ff.n.ch. (including title) + 155 + 239 + 131 + 312 + 233 pp. + 2 ff.n.ch. of errata, late 19th-century havana half-chagrin, ornate ribbed spine, red title page (binding a little rubbed). Original and unique edition, much sought-after. "This chronicle, fairly accurate for the history of the 16th century, deals only with Lower Alsace. The author worked from the archives of the Counts of Hanau-Lichtenberg - in particular - so it should be consulted with strong reservations, mainly for the early period where he mixes history and legend. Nevertheless, this beautiful book is the jewel of Alsatian libraries, especially when it is in good condition, which is very rare" (Saffroy). The main interest of this chronicle lies in its use of sources, since lost, concerning the history of emperors from early antiquity to Rudolf II (1591), the topographical description of Lower Alsace, the history of the bishops of Strasbourg, the history of the Alsatian nobility and bourgeoisie, as well as that of the towns of Sélestat, Strasbourg, Haguenau and Wissembourg. It is illustrated with numerous woodcuts of coats of arms. The first two leaves have been rebound, the next two heavily restored at their inner margins; a few leaves have been restored in the body of the work. Old handwritten bookplate on title page, scattered foxing.