Cosmographia (Munster's Cosmography)

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 and David Kandel.

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

Provenance - German Dealer

Full-size map

Detail showing a partial World view

based on the work of Ptolomei

Detail showing mythical winds

Description

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

Size and Condition

The leaves measures 41.6 x 24.5 cm and present in good condition with a large, highly detailed coloured woodcut. There are small worm holes in the leaves that have been restored and minimal staining due to age.

Publication date:

Illustration:

Framing details:

Provenance -

Publication date: 1614

Illustration: Milan's Sforza Castle

Framing details:

Provenance - Cypriot Collector

Send mail to ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2007 Spirit of the Ages Last modified: 06/29/08

Send mail to ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 Spirit of the Ages
Last modified: 06/29/08