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Wiener Heiltumsbuch


Book of the Vienna Sanctuary
Jn Disem Puechlein ist Uerzaichent das Hochwirdig Heiligtũb so man Jn der Loblichen stat Wienn Jn Osterreich alle iar an sontag nach dem Ostertag zezaigen pfligt
Matthaeus Heuperger (Austrian)
Illustrated by: Unidentified artist, Austrian, 16th century
Printed by: Johannes Winterburger (active 1492–1519)
1502
Place of Publication: Vienna, Austria

Medium/Technique Illustrated book; letterpress and woodcuts
Dimensions Overall: 21.2 x 15.7 x 1.8 cm (8 3/8 x 6 3/16 x 11/16 in.)
Credit Line William A. Sargent Fund
Accession Number53.335
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsIllustrated books

This small book is one of the most extraordinary publications to survive from the early decades of printing. It’s an object-by-object guide to the treasures owned by Saint Stephen’s cathedral in Vienna, complete with pictures to help visitors identify the objects , one of the richest collections of religious relics in Europe. This is perhaps the first book that was meant to serve much like a museum handbook. Just a few copies survive, but that makes sense—how often do you keep your brochure from a museum visit?

Description(Vienna: Johannes Winterburger, 1502); quarto; 24 leaves; deerskin binding; tan cloth slipcase. First edition, issue "b."

The illustrations comprise five full-page representations, including coat of arms of Death (fol. C8r), and over two hundred small woodcuts of reliquaries from the Treasure of the Stephenskirche, Vienna
ProvenanceWilliam H. Schab (dealer), NY; April 9, 1953, purchased from him by the MFA.