• LA GRANT DANSE MACABRE. [Lyons: Mathias Huss], 18 February 1499 (1500)

Collections:
  • Incunabula at Princeton
  • In Principio
  • Collections Donated to Princeton University Library
  • The Scheide Library
  • Treasures of Rare Book Division
Curatorial Note:
  • The Lyons Danse macabre, one of two surviving copies, contains the earliest depiction of a printing shop: one skeleton of death seizes the surprised compositor, another the pressman, and another, in adjacent scene, a dismayed bookseller standing at his counter. Only the young apprentice, wielding his ink balls, escapes. The picture book known as the Danse macabre, whose verses emphasize that death comes to all, from popes and emperors to plowmen, was first printed in Paris in 1486. The scenes derive from a lost sequence of Dance of Death murals painted in the cemetery of the Holy Innocents in Paris. The many Paris editions of Danse macabre do not include the printing shop. It is one of three new scenes, with corresponding verses, added to this Lyons version.
Provenance:
  • Provenance: Raoul Léonar, Comte de Lignerolles; F. G. A. Guyot de Villeneuve (1825-1898); Victor Masséna, Duc de Rivoli, Prince d'Essling; Otto Schäfer (1912-2000); acquired Sotheby's, NY, 1 Nov. 1995, lot 74.
Former owner:
  • Schäfer, Otto
Abstract:
  • One of two surviving copies; the other is at the British Library. The woodcut on f. 7r (b1r) is the earliest known depiction of a printing shop.
Language:
  • French
Call number:
  • 43.2
  • Electronic Resource
Extent:
  • 42 leaves ; ill. (woodcuts); 28.8 x 21.1 cm (folio).
Format:
  • Book
Description:
  • Wanting leaves 8 (b2) and 42 (g6), supplied in photographic facsimile.
Publisher:
  • [Lyons : Mathias Huss], 18 Feb. 1499 [/1500?]
Title sort:
  • Grant danse macabre des hommes et des femmes.
Alternative:
  • Grande danse macabre des hommes et des femmes.
References:
  • GW 7954
  • HC 10414
  • BMC VIII 266 (IB. 41735)
Printer:
  • Huss, Mathias, active 1482-1500
Created:
  • 1499-01-01T00:00:00Z
Date:
  • 1499
Identifier:
  • ark:/88435/ms35td33q
Location:
  • WHS 43.2
  • WHS Electronic Resource
  • ELF1 43.2
  • ELF1 Electronic Resource
Edm rights:
  • No Known Copyright
Range label:
  • Logical
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