"La table de la region orientale, comprenant les dernieres terres & royaumes d'Asie", Munster, Sebastian

One of the earliest maps of the whole continent. Munster based the map on recent geographical discoveries by Portuguese navigators. The outline of the Asian mainland is relatively well established. India appears as a peninsula and Sri Lanka, called "Zalon", is correctly located. Cambay, Goa and Cannonore are all shown, reflecting the Portuguese presence on India's west coast. Malacca is correctly located on the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra has inherited the name "Taprobana" from Sri Lanka, but also bears the name Sumatra. Java appears as two islands, "Java Maior" and "Java Minor". The famed Spice Islands of Moluccas are located, but oddly shaped. The coastline of China is fairly accurate but Korea and Japan are absent. Northern Asia is named India Superior with the eastern most part left off the map. The Indian Ocean is filled with a huge sea monster and a fantastic two-tailed mermaid. French text on verso.

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Condition: A

Expertly backed with light Japanese tissue repairing a short tear (just entering image at bottom) and the centerfold. Nice impression.