Todten dantz mit figuren (ca. 1520)

The front page

The Pope

After having been published ca. 1488 in Heidelberg and again ca. 1492 in Mainz, Der todten dantz mit figuren vnd schrifften was published once more in Munich ca. 1520. The published was Johann Schobsser. who used two sets of type that are not attested before 1515 respectively 1519.

The sequence of dancers is the same as the "logical" one that was introduced in the 1492-edition, except that the nobleman has swapped places with the knight.

The printer has abandoned the oversized initials, so this edition has more room for the text. There are many small and big changes, E.g.: »gott« is often replaced by »got der herr«, and »nu« with »yetzundt«.

A few lines are wholly rewritten. The chapter about the man who died unprepared has been expanded with 8 lines, and another 6-lined verse has been added which begins: »Merckendt jr frawen vnd jr mann«.

The Pope, 1488

The woodcuts are the same as in the previous editions except that the last one with the cemetery must have disappeared so instead the introductory woodcut with the man who died unexpectedly is used twice.

The woodcuts are cropped differently. In the editions from 1488/1492, the figures are often too tall for the frames. Like for instance the image to the left, where the pope's crown is protruding. In the edition from 1520 (top, left) there's vertical space enough but the image has been cropped in both sides.

The book was reprinted in 1925, but for inscrutable reasons the publisher writes, erroneously, that it is a reprint of »der Mainzer Ausgabe vom Ende des 15. Jahrhunderts«, i.e. the 1492-edition. See external link.

Note: The sequence is that of the 1488-edition:

Figuren: Dance-house

Figuren, Ossuary

Figuren: Pope

Figuren: Cardinal

Figuren: Bishop

Figuren: Official

Figuren: Canon

Figuren: Priest

Figuren: Chaplain

Figuren: Abbot

Figuren: Physician

Figuren: Emperor

Figuren: King

Figuren: Duke

Figuren: Count

Figuren: Knight

Figuren: Nobleman

Figuren: Armor-bearer

Figuren: Robber

Figuren: Usurer

Figuren: Citizen

Figuren: Craftsman

Figuren: Young man

Figuren: Child

Figuren: Innkeeper

Figuren: Gambler

Figuren: Thief

Figuren: Evil monk

Figuren: Good monk

Figuren: Hermit

Figuren: Doctor

Figuren: Mayor

Figuren: Senator

Figuren: Lawyer

Figuren: Scribe

Figuren: Nun

Figuren: City woman

Figuren: Young woman

Figuren: Merchant

Figuren: All ranks

Figuren: Ossuary

Kassel: Pope

Kassel: Young woman

Kassel: Mirror

Kassel: Robber

Kassel: City woman

Figuren: Pope

Figuren: Child

Figuren: Pope

External link

Der todten dantz mit figuren vnd schrifften Clag vnd antwort von allen ständen der welt (Im. Mort 3). Münich, ca. 1520
Der todten dantz mit figuren und schrifften : Clag und Antwort vo[n] allen Ständen der Welt - facsimile published 1925. Note: the publisher writes, erroneously, that it is a reprint of the 1492-edition.

Further Information

Der todten dantz mit figuren, the text
Der Doten dantz mit figuren (ca. 1488)
Der Doten dantz mit figuren (ca. 1492)
- The 1492-edition, the text
- The 1488-edition compared with the 1492-edition
The Kassel-manuscript
Zimmern's dance of death