Bunting's Clover Leaf Map of the Old World

"Die Ganze Welt in ein Kleeblat / Welches ist der Stadt Hannover Meines Lieben Vaterlandes Wapen", Bunting, Heinrich

This fanciful map of the Old World was drawn to represent the Trinity. The three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa are arranged in the form of a clover leaf with Jerusalem at the center. Three landmasses lie outside the trefoil: England and part of Scandinavia above, and in the lower left corner a portion of the New World (Die Newe Welt) appears. The woodblock map is beautifully engraved with waves in the oceans that are filled with sea monsters, a sailing ship and mermaids. Heinrich Bunting was a theological commentator from Hanover and devised the curious shape of the map from the arms of his home town. This version has the correct spelling of clover leaf (Kleeblat) in the title. German text on verso.

References: Shirley #142; Manasek #32; Laor p.129; Nebenzahl (HL) pp. 88-89; Tooley (MCC-1) #88.

Condition: B+

Lovely color with gilt highlights. Expert repairs to a centerfold separation at top and a small hole along centerfold just inside neatline at top. Minor soiling in blank margins.