Catalog Archive
Auction 198, Lot 643

"Africa", Solinus, Caius Julius

Subject: Northern Africa

Period: 1538 (published)

Publication: C. Iulii Solini Polyhistor...

Color: Black & White

Size:
9.4 x 6.4 inches
23.9 x 16.3 cm
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This scarce woodcut map by Sebastian Munster was published in Solinus' Polyhistor. It depicts a Ptolemaic view of northern Africa and Arabia with Latin place names, exaggerated rivers, and rope-like mountains. The Nile River arises from four different lakes: two of which have their source in the Mountains of the Moon, and two towards the northeast. Latin text on verso.

Solinus was a Roman grammarian from the 3rd century who borrowed largely from Pliny's Natural History, reinterpreting it from a geographical perspective.

References: Mickwitz & Miekkavaara #285-11.

Condition: B+

A nice impression with some show-through of text on verso and several light dampstains.

Estimate: $200 - $230

Sold for: $170

Closed on 6/19/2024

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