Subject: Ancient World
Period: 1581 (circa)
Publication: Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae
Color: Hand Color
Size:
14.3 x 10.7 inches
36.3 x 27.2 cm
This fanciful map of the Old World was drawn to represent the Trinity. The three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa are arranged in the form of a clover leaf with Jerusalem at the center. Three landmasses lie outside the trefoil: England and part of Scandinavia above, and in the lower left corner a portion of the New World (Die Newe Welt) appears. The woodblock map is beautifully engraved with waves in the oceans that are filled with sea monsters, a sailing ship and mermaids. Heinrich Bunting was a theological commentator from Hanover and devised the curious shape of the map from the arms of his home town. German text on verso.
References: Shirley #142; Manasek #32; Laor p.129; Nebenzahl (HL) pp. 88-89; Tooley (MCC-1) #88.
Condition: B
There are professional repairs along centerfold with a tiny portion of bottom neatline in facsimile, and to a chip in bottom left corner also with a small amount of neatline in facsimile. A tear that enters 3.5" into map at bottom right has also been professionally repaired.