Catalog Archive
Auction 112, Lot 19

"Das Erst General Inhaltend die Beschreibung und den Circkel des Gantzen Erdtrichs…", Munster, Sebastian

Subject: World

Period: 1553 (circa)

Publication: Cosmographen

Color: Hand Color

Size:
15 x 11 inches
38.1 x 27.9 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Second state of this famous early, woodblock, map of the "modern" world. Oval projection surrounded by clouds and wind heads with the title above the map. 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 elaborate woodcut illustration on verso.

References: Shirley #92.

Condition: B

Remargined at sides with skilled facsimile of neatlines, else very good.

Estimate: $1,900 - $2,300

Sold for: $1,800

Closed on 9/28/2005

Archived