"Tabula Orientalis Regionis, Asiae Scilicet Extremas Complectens Terras & Regna", Munster, Sebastian

This is one of the earliest maps of the whole continent based on the recent geographical discoveries by Portuguese navigators. The outline of the Asian mainland is relatively well established. India appears as a peninsula and Sri Lanka, called Zalon, is correctly located. Cambay, Goa, and Cannonore are all shown, reflecting the Portuguese presence on India's west coast. Malacca is correctly located on the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra has inherited the name Taprobana from Sri Lanka, but also bears the name Sumatra. Java appears as two islands, Java Maior and Java Minor. The famed Spice Islands of Moluccas are located, but oddly shaped. The coastline of China is fairly accurate but Korea and Japan are absent. Northern Asia, named India Superior, extends off the map, reflecting the belief that the northern reaches of the New World were connected to Asia. An archipelago of 7448 islands lies off the eastern coastline, a remnant from the reports of Marco Polo. The Indian Ocean is filled with a huge sea monster and a fantastic two-tailed mermaid. Latin text on verso.

References: Yeo #2; Walter #8A.

Condition: A

Dark impression and lovely color on sturdy paper. There are a couple of repaired tears in the margins, and a couple of chips at the lower right corner, not affecting map. Linen hinge remnant on verso.