Catalog Archive
Auction 116, Lot 790

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

Subject: East Indies - Sumatra

Period: 1598 (published)

Publication: Cosmographia Universalis

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14.3 x 12.2 inches
36.3 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 title that 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). German text and illustration on verso.

References:

Condition: B

Faint toning along centerfold. Old paper reinforcing bottom margin for no apparent reason.

Estimate: $350 - $450

Sold for: $450

Closed on 9/20/2006

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