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1574 Sebastian Münster Woodcut Map of Europe: Early View of the Continent
About the Item
Title: Early Woodcut Map of Europe from Münster's Cosmographia, 1574
This is an original early woodcut map of Europe by the famed cartographer Sebastian Münster, printed in 1574 by Heinrich Petri in Basel. The map forms part of Münster's monumental *Cosmographia*, one of the most significant works of the 16th century that sought to describe all known regions of the world. It offers a detailed and fascinating depiction of Europe, portraying major regions such as Hispania, Germania, and Gallia, while providing insightful commentary in German.
The woodcut, though small, provides a striking snapshot of Europe as seen through the eyes of one of history's most influential geographers. The accompanying text illustrates Münster's vivid account of Europe’s physical characteristics, its relation to Asia and Africa, and notes on notable territories under Christian rule, along with references to the "Türckey" or Ottoman Empire. Münster, originally a Franciscan who became a Protestant theologian and professor, was among the first to attempt to map each continent separately.
The condition is very good, with sharp printing and crisp lines, displaying the craftsmanship typical of the Basel print houses of the time. This rare sheet remains an important piece for collectors of historical maps, especially those focusing on early cartography of Europe.
Here is the translation of the German text provided:
First Block (Title and Introduction):
The Second Book
They have become well-known, and from those we want to describe some specific tables here below and explain the situation of such countries.
*Of Europe, which in our time is under Christian rule and something about Turkey, Chapter 2.*
Second Block (Main Text):
Europe, among the world's parts, is the first in terms of its division, though it is smaller than either Africa or Asia in both breadth and length, yet it is a mighty large land. In length, it stretches from Spain to Constantinople, covering in total, according to Ptolemy's calculation, about 550 German miles, including part of Greece. But in width, it is slightly narrower compared to its length, which you can see in the two general tables or the new map showing all of Europe on one sheet.
One can imagine that Europe has many large areas and lands: As Ptolemy calls it a fruitful and quite extensive land, in some places equal to Africa in size, although Africa has many more wastelands or desolate deserts, whereas Europe is mostly fertile.
This is because of the good land Europe has, mostly lying in high mountains and elevated regions such as the Alps or Switzerland, where people have nourished themselves for many years.
There are also islands that belong to Europe: Sicily and Sardinia are particularly notable, and others such as Peloponnesus/Candia, among others, are mentioned briefly here.
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- Dimensions:Height: 13.59 in (34.5 cm)Width: 8.04 in (20.4 cm)Depth: 0.01 in (0.2 mm)
- Materials and Techniques:Paper,Engraved
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1574
- Condition:Good condition, with sharp printing and crisp lines, displaying the craftsmanship typical of the Basel print houses of the time. Light browning around the edges. This rare sheet remains an important piece for collectors of historical maps.
- Seller Location:Langweer, NL
- Reference Number:Seller: BG-13840-31stDibs: LU3054342583572
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