Catalog Archive
Auction 128, Lot 846

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

Subject: Sumatra

Period: 1580 (circa)

Publication: Cosmographiae Universalis

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14 x 12 inches
35.6 x 30.5 cm
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Early, desirable 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 name, which confused Sumatra with the island of Ceylon. It is one of the earliest maps to focus on this region. Shown near today's Singapore on the tip of the Malay peninsula is 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 title and woodcut illustration on verso.

References:

Condition: B+

Very good impression on thin hand laid paper with original margins. Some soiling in margins and centerfold reinforced on verso with tissue. Later hand coloring poorly applied.

Estimate: $400 - $500

Sold for: $300

Closed on 5/20/2009

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