Catalog Archive
Auction 109, Lot 70

"Tabula novarum insularum, quas diversis respectibus Occidentales & Indianas uocant [Novae Insulae XVII Nova Tabula]", Munster, Sebastian

Subject: Western Hemisphere

Period: 1554 (published)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
13.5 x 10 inches
34.3 x 25.4 cm
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This is one of the most important 16th century maps of the New World, credited with popularizing the name America. North America is very oddly shaped with no California and Zipangri (Japan) is shown only a short distance off the western coast. In the east, the land is nearly bisected by a body of water, known as the Sea of Verrazzano. The Yucatan is still shown as an island and the lake at Temistitan is connected to the Gulf of Mexico. South America has a large bulge in the southwest, the Amazon River is very short and cannibals inhabit the continent. The map is very decorative with Magellan's surviving ship Victoria appearing in the Pacific. The flags of Spain and Portugal depict their respective spheres of influence in the New World. Latin text on verso.

References: Burden #12, state 7; Kershaw #9.

Condition: A

Very sharp impression and lovely period-correct coloring. Small worm-tracks professionally filled at lower center, else very fine. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.

Estimate: $4,000 - $5,000

Sold for: $8,000

Closed on 12/1/2004

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