Catalog Archive
Auction 126, Lot 43

"Ptolemaisch General Tafel Begreissend die halbe Rugel der Weldt", Munster, Sebastian

Subject: Ancient World

Period: 1545 (circa)

Publication: Cosmographey

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13.5 x 10 inches
34.3 x 25.4 cm
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This woodcut, Ptolemaic world map is surrounded by clouds and eleven wind heads (with their names shown in banners). The continents are oddly shaped and all connected by a great southern continent Terra incognito secundum Ptolemaeum, which land locks the Indian Ocean. There is a very large Taprobana (modern day Sri Lanka) in the Indian Ocean, and the Indian subcontinent is severely truncated. Only the northern part of Africa is shown with the Nile originating in a series of lakes in a large mountain range. The crack in the woodblock is evident on the right side of the map. German text and a lively woodcut on verso.

References: Shirley #76.

Condition: A+

Expert repair on a couple of binding holes in the blank margins.

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,500

Sold for: $650

Closed on 12/3/2008

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