This fascinating and rare reference by E.G. Ravenstein of the Royal Geography Society chronicles the life and work of Martin Behaim, the German explorer and polymath responsible for Erdapfel, the oldest surviving terrestrial globe. It includes a vivid full color facsimile of the globe on four sheets in a pocket on the back cover. In addition to the facsimile of Erdapfel, there are eleven maps (five of them in full color) and seventeen illustrations including a portrait of Behaim that serves as a frontispiece and diagrams of various astronomical instruments. An appendix collects various letters by Behaim, legal documents, and other documents related to the creation and reception of the globe. This is #406 of the 510 copies published. 122 pp, hardbound with a buckram spine and an illustration of the Behaim coat-of-arms on the front cover.

References:

Condition: B

Top edge gilt. The pages and facsimile of the globe are toned, and the bottom edge of the pages are creased with some tiny tears. There are scattered spots from foxing on several pages. Hinges starting. Covers are moderately soiled with small tears to the paper covering the boards. Ex-library stamps.