Das erst General, inhaltend die beschreibung und den Circkel des gantzen Erderichs und...

16th century woodcut map of the world. Printed in Basle by Heinrich Petri in 1574.

Reference 11687

Description

16th Century Woodcut Map of the World.

Early woodcut world map by Sebastian Münster. This 'modern' map of the world is an oval projection with a vigorous surround of clouds and lusty windheads. German letterpress title on top, a beautiful woodcut title vignette on verso. This woodblock was prepared for the 1550 edition of Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia. With the woodcutter's initials DK, identified as those of David Kandel in the lower left-hand corner. A sailing ship and several fierce sea monsters occupy the oceans.

The Americas taking on an unusual shape, North America is labled Terra Florida and is almost separated by a deep cleft of water, often referred to as the Sea of Verazano. Further north a huge landmass extending as far as and joining onto Scandinavia. The west coast of North America is hypothetically drawn and appears on the right side of the map. It carries the name Temi stitan, which is generally used to denote Mexico. In Africa, the twin sources of the River Nile terminating in a range of mountains. Unidentified islands Grisonum and Calensuan are placed in the proximity of Australia. The hypothetical continent Terra Australis is present but small, only serving to form the Magellan Strait.

The geographical sources of this map is a combination of information derived from Verrazzano's explorations of 1522-24, where the waters of Chesapeake Bay were mistaken for the Indian Ocean and reports of Cartier's voyages of 1534-35, who explored the Gulf of St. Lawrence and was hoping to discover a western passage.

Details

Cartographer	Sebastian Münster
Title	Das erst General, inhaltend die beschreibung und den Circkel des gantzen Erderichs und Möre
Publisher, Year	Heinrich Petri, Basle, 1574
Plate Size	26.3 x 38.3 cm (10.4 x 15.1 inches)
Sheet Size	33.5 x 40.3 cm (13.2 x 15.9 inches)
Reference	Shirley, R. W.: The Mapping of the World, No. 92

Condition

Lower half of centrefold backed, evidence of some minor creases, minor staining in margin. A very good example with beautiful colours.

Cartographer

Sebastian Münster was born 1489 in Ingelheim (Pfalz). First being a Franciscan, he became Professor for Theology, Hebrew and Mathematics after he converted to Protestantism in 1529. He became one of the most influencing geographers of the sixteenth century. His Cosmographia, published in 1544, spread geographical knowledge wide over Europe. It was issued in nearly 40 editions and 6 languages. Münster was the first cartographer publishing each known continent on a separate map. His second important work was the Geographia, a new edition of Ptolemys Geographia. He died May 1552 in Basel on Black Death.

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Sebastian Münster: Das erst General, inhaltend die beschreibung und den Circkel des gantzen Erderichs und Möre.

16th century woodcut map of the world. Printed in Basle by Heinrich Petri in 1574.

World Maps - Münster, Sebastian - Das erst General, inhaltend die...