Catalog Archive
Auction 121, Lot 690

"Asia wie es Jetziger Zeit nach den Furnemesten Herrschafften Abgetheilet und Beschriben ist", Munster/Petri

Subject: Asia

Period: 1588 (circa)

Publication: Cosmographia Universalis

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14.3 x 12.3 inches
36.3 x 31.2 cm
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Handsome woodblock map based on Ortelius' 1570 map of Asia, which was the standard map of Asia for more than forty years. Petri added it to Munster's Cosmographia from 1588 onwards, probably in an effort to compete with Ortelius' great atlas. The cordiform projection shows Asia extended too far to the east, an error propagated with Ptolemy. Japan is in a 'kite' form taken from Jesuit sources. Luzon is absent from the Philippines, and there are a great number of islands in the East Indies, but they are not well placed, due to the secrecy of voyages to the region. A portion of New Guinea is located in the lower right. The title is in the top margin and a text box describes the region. German text and illustration on verso.

References: Yeo #9.

Condition: A

A little minor toning, mostly confined to the margins.

Estimate: $700 - $900

Sold for: $750

Closed on 9/26/2007

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