Cosmographia

(Cosmography)

The great work by Sebastian Münster

 

First published in 1544, Cosmographia was both the earliest German description of the World and a major contribution

to the revival of geographic thought during the Renaissance. Ostensibly the work of Sebastian Münster - a Hebrew scholar,

cartographer and cosmographer - the geographic work within Cosmographia also owes much to the earlier work of

Ptolemy.

 

Many prominent artists from the German Renaissance contributed to the illustrations appearing through Cosmographia,

including Hans Holbein the Younger, Urs Graf, Hans Rudolph Manuel Deutsch, David Kandel, Jakob Clauser,

Heinrich Holzmüller and Christoph Schweicker.

 

During a century of publication, 24 editions of Cosmographia were produced. It was translated beyond the original

German into numerous languages, including Latin, French, Italian, English and Czech.

 

Ptolemeische General Tafel

 

    

Complete map

 

 

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Detail showing mythical winds

 

These combined leaves are from the 1614 German edition of Cosmographia published in Basel by H Petri.

 

On these leaves, a map of the World based upon information derived from the work of Ptolomy appears with

wonderful hand colouring. The map is presented with mythical winds - based upon Greek mythology.

 

Les monstres marins & terrestres, lesquelz on trouue en beaucoup de lieux es parties septentrionales

 

Complete illustration 

 

 

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Detail showing one of the many Sea Monsters depicted

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Reproduction on 18x24" sheet

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These combined leaves are from a late-16th Century French edition of Cosmographia published in Basel by H Petri.

 

On these leaves, we see one of the most famous Renaissance illustrations of mythical sea monsters. In one vignette (that shown in detail above), a galleon is depicted trying to outrun a monster by throwing its cargo overboard whilst a sailor take aim with a musket. Numerous other vignettes are depicted as are other monsters with tusks, horns and spouts abounding.

 

This illustration carries the monogram "HRMD" indicating it was prepared by Hans Rudolf Manual Deutsch.

 

Tabula novarum insularum, quas diversis respectibus Occidetales & Indianas vocant

 

    

Complete map

 

 

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Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

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Code: SM C NW (18x24)
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Detail depicting an explorer's ship

 

These combined leaves are from the 1550 Latin edition of Cosmographia.

 

On these leaves, an early map of the New World - the Americas - appears with wonderful hand colouring.

 

Londen oder Lunden die Hauptstatt in Engellandt am flutz Thamesis gelengen auss das aller sleitzsigstenach jetziger gelegenheit ab coneraschtet

 

Complete illustration 

 

 

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Detail showing the Royal Coat-of-Arms

Reproduction on 12x18" sheet

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Reproduction on 18x24" sheet

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These combined leaves are from a late-16th Century German edition of Cosmographia.

 

On these leaves, we see an early representation of London - with lovely hand colouring.

 

Constantinopel des Griechischen Keyserchumbs Hauptstatt im Landt Thracia am Meere gelegen

 

    

Complete map

 

 

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Detail depicting ships in the Bosphorus

 

These combined leaves are from a late-16th Century German edition of Cosmographia.

 

On these leaves, we see a plan of Constantinople - with wonderful hand colouring.

 

Lutetia Parisiorum urbs, toto orbe celeberrima notissimaque caput regni Franciae

 

Complete illustration 

 

 

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Detail showing a plan of Île de la Cité

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These combined leaves are from the 1548 French edition of Cosmographia.

 

On these leaves, we see details of the Paris, including the path of the Seine, canals, churches and other landmarks of the period.

 

This illustration carries the monogram "HRMD" indicating it was prepared by Hans Rudolf Manual Deutsch.