Scarce Map of the Ancient World Naming America

"Dese Caerte van de Beschrijvinghe der Wereldt...", Bunting, Heinrich

This scarce woodblock map focuses on the Old World showing Europe, Asia and Africa in outline with the locations of countries and a few principal cities noted. In Africa, the Nile originates in the Montes Lunae at the southern tip of the continent. A huge Caspian Sea and several enlarged river systems, including the Ganges River, dominate Asia. The most interesting parts of the map are in the bottom corners where there is a short coastline of Brazil, labeled America, at left and an unnamed landmass at right that appears to a part of Australia. Several sea monsters and a mermaid grace the oceans. Dutch text on verso.

References: cf. Shirley #143.

Condition: B+

A nice impression on watermarked paper with minor soiling. Professionally backed in Japanese tissue to repair a few minor centerfold separations and a tear that extends 2.7" into map at right, just below the mermaid. There are some chips and a worm track in blank margins that have all been professionally repaired.