Catalog Archive
Auction 93, Lot 327

"Sumatra ein Grosse Insel so von den alten Geographen Taprobana genennt worden", Munster/Petri

Subject: South East Asia

Period: 1550 (circa)

Publication: Cosmograhia

Color: Black & White

Size:
14.2 x 12.2 inches
36.1 x 31 cm
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Very early, scarce map of the island of Sumatra and the southern part of Malaysia. This map is Petri's revision of the early Ptolemaic map of the same name which confused Sumatra with the island of Ceylon. It is one of the earliest maps to focus on this region. Singapore is marked on the tip of Malay peninsula as "Cingafufa". Text to the right quotes Pliny, and below is a large engraving of an elephant and his mounted handler (oddly dressed in European clothes).

References:

Condition: B

Very nice example of this uncommon map, with a good impression. A bit of faint dampstain and a tiny marginal tear.

Estimate: $500 - $600

Sold for: $300

Closed on 12/6/2000

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