Catalog Archive
Auction 107, Lot 439

"[Asia Secunda pars Terrae In Forma Pegasi]", Bunting, Heinrich

Subject: Asia - Cartographic Curiosity

Period: 1592 (published)

Publication: Itinerarium Sacrae Scripturae

Color: Black & White

Size:
13.7 x 9.6 inches
34.8 x 24.4 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Among the earliest cartographic oddities are the famous maps from Heinrick Bunting's unusual travel book based on the Bible. This map of Asia is presented as the mythical winged horse Pegasus. The horse is drawn fairly realistically, so that a good deal of imagination is required to view the map. The head represents Asia Minor with the mouth at Istanbul. The wings portray Central Asia and Siberia with the Caspian Sea laying horizontally between the wings and the saddle. Persia is delineated on the horse blanket with the forelegs forming Arabia. The hind legs represent the Indian and Malay peninsulas. This is a very rare issue of the map from a Czech edition. The original woodcut map was re-engraved on copper with a stippled sea and the inclusion of several additional embellishments including a coat of arms. Color copy of the atlas title page included.

References: Hill, Cartographical Curiosities, p.39; MCC-.1 # 3; Yeo #8.

Condition: B

Light soiling throughout. Backed with sturdy tissue with paper replaced in blank margins. Creased along centerfold with a couple of in-filled binding holes with a couple of insignificant lines of facsimile in the wings.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,500

Sold for: $1,100

Closed on 6/9/2004

Archived