This fascinating and rare reference by E.G. Ravenstein of the Royal Geographical Society chronicles the life and work of Martin Behaim, the German explorer and polymath responsible for Erdapfel, the oldest surviving terrestrial globe. While the book typically includes a vivid full color facsimile of the globe on four sheets, this example only includes the fourth sheet, tucked into a pocket on the back cover. Additionally, there are eleven maps (five of them in full color) and seventeen illustrations, including a portrait of Behaim that serves as a frontispiece and diagrams of various astronomical instruments. An appendix collects various letters by Behaim, legal documents, and other documents related to the creation and reception of the globe. This is #373 of the 510 copies published. 122 pages, hardbound in stiff paper boards with an illustration of the Behaim coat-of-arms on the front cover.

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Condition: B

Top edge gilt. Former library copy with the stamp of Ambassador College Library. The folding map in the back is very good with light toning. Text is lightly toned. Hinges are starting. Binding tape has been added to the spine and cover edges. Covers are lightly sunned and soiled.