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

This famous woodblock map is presented on an 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. This is the second 'modern' world map to appear in Munster's Cosmographia, published between 1550 and 1578. This example is from a German edition with German text and elaborate woodcut illustrations on verso.

References: Shirley #92; Manasek #12.

Condition: B+

A few short tears in bottom margin near centerfold, one of which enters 1" into the map image, have been professionally repaired. Two small holes in top blank margin have been closed on verso with archival materials, and minor soiling in blank margins. Backed with Japanese tissue.