Details

Name

Anton Koberger

Brief Biography

circa 1445 - 1513, German

Occupation

Publisher; Printer

Description

Born in Nuremberg, Germany, to a family of established craftsmen, Koberger is understood to have trained as a goldsmith, before becoming a printer in about 1470. The earliest work confidently attributed to him is the ‘Marriage Booklet’ of Albrecht von Eyb, published 1472.

His business became the largest publishing house in Germany at that time, operating 24 presses, with various roles within the company, including compositors, pressmen, bookbinders, salesmen and illuminators, including leading artists such as Michael Wolgemuth (1434-1519), master and teacher to Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528), to whom Koberger was godfather.

Koberger’s business was of international importance, operating through a network of agents all over Europe, from cities such as Paris and Budapest.

During his career he published over 200 works, most famously the influential Koberger Bible (1483), and the lavishly illustrated Nuremberg Chronicle (1493).

Upon his death in 1513 the business passed to his heirs, but the business was no longer operational by the 1540s.