A beautiful example the last map to appear before the dissemination of Columbus' discoveries in the New World. Noah's three sons, Ham, Shem, and Japhet, hold the map up to view and the wide border includes the twelve winds with their Latin and Greek names. The map is in the typical Ptolemaic form with the Indian Ocean completely enclosed by land and a huge Toprobana (Ceylon). The source of the map was apparently the frontispiece of Pomponius Mela's Cosmographia (1488). A panel of seven fantastic humanoid creatures flanks the map to the left, reflecting the fertile imaginations of the Chronicle artists about the inhabitants of the remotest parts of the world. Two panels containing fourteen more monstrosities fill the verso along with Latin text. Some of the creatures are based on classical writings, while others were born of medieval traveler's tales. The map was printed a mere forty years after the invention of printing and is one of the earliest world maps available to the collector.

References: Wilson, p.98-122; Shirley #19.

Condition: A

Great impression and fine color with wide margins. The usual centerfold damage from binding, expertly rejoined.