Subject: World
Period: 1550-78 (published)
Publication: Cosmographia
Color: Black & White
Size:
15 x 10.2 inches
38.1 x 25.9 cm
Second state of this famous early, woodblock, map of the "modern" world with the German text title above the map. Oval projection with surrounding clouds and windheads. The continents are shown in rough outline only. North America is shown with the large cleft nearly separating the east coast from the continent, often referred to as the "Sea of Verazano". What appears to be a large NORTHWEST PASSAGE stretches towards Asia. South America has a very strange shape as well. In Africa, the Nile is prominently shown with its twin sources beginning in a range of southern mountains. The mythical islands of "Grisonum" and "Calensuan" are placed in the proximity of Australia, where there is also the label "Mare Pacificum". A sailing ship and several fierce sea monsters occupy the oceans. Initials of the engraver David Kandel in lower left-hand corner. German text and woodblock illustrations on verso.
References: Shirley #92.
Condition: A
Manuscript ink page numbers in top margin. A few scattered worm holes, professionally filled.