Catalog Archive
Auction 186, Lot 538

"[Title on Verso] Tabu. Moderna Hungariae, Poloniae, Russiae, Prussiae, et Valachiae", Waldseemuller/Fries

Subject: Eastern Europe

Period: 1525 (published)

Publication: Claudii Ptolemaei Geographicae Enarrationis Libri Octo…

Color: Hand Color

Size:
14.4 x 10.9 inches
36.6 x 27.7 cm
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Claudius Ptolemy was a mathematician, astronomer and geographer who worked in Alexandria, then a part of the Roman Empire, in the 2nd century AD. One of the most learned and influential men of his time, his theories dominated both astronomy and geography for nearly 1500 years. His writings were kept alive by Arabic scholars during the Middle Ages and reemerged in Europe during the Renaissance. The birth of printing led to wide dissemination of his great works on astronomy and geography. There were a number of editions of his Geographia beginning in 1477. These early editions contained maps based on his original writings, known as Ptolemaic maps. As geographic knowledge increased with the explorations of Columbus, Magellan, Cabot and others, maps of the New World were added, and maps of the Old World were revised. Ptolemy's Geographia continued to be revised and published by some of the most important cartographers including Martin Waldseemuller, Sebastian Munster, Giacomo Gastaldi, Jodocus Hondius, and Gerard Mercator (whose last edition was published in 1730).

This woodblock map is a "modern" map of eastern Europe, including Hungary, Czech Republic, and parts of Poland, and is based on the work of Waldseemuller. Budapest (Buda) is at bottom left. The region is dominated by convoluted mountain ranges that appear to have been engraved upside-down. Latin text and woodblock engravings on verso.

References: Mickwitz & Miekkavaara #208-33.

Condition: A

A nice impression on a sturdy sheet with a medallion watermark, a few minute worm holes, and marginal soiling.

Estimate: $600 - $750

Sold for: $650

Closed on 2/9/2022

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