The Heidelberg Book of Fate, a guide to celestial fortunes, was almost certainly created for Philip, Elector Palatine of the Rhine, and his wife, Margaret of Bavaria, in 1491 or shortly thereafter. It contains astronomical reference guides and calendars for moon cycles over two nineteen-year periods, dates of solar and lunar eclipses, and times of sunrises and sunsets based on the latitude of Nuremberg. It is renowned for its two full-page images with movable pointers that indicate solar and lunar positions by the Regensburg illuminator Berthold Furtmeyr. The manuscript includes 542 more illustrations by unidentified artists.
We have 2 facsimiles of the manuscript "Heidelberg Book of Fate":
- Heidelberger Schicksalsbuch (Deluxe Edition) facsimile edition published by Insel Verlag, 1981
- Heidelberger Schicksalsbuch (Standard Edition) facsimile edition published by Insel Verlag, 1981