Printed from www.AntiqueMapart.com Catalogue on Friday, Mar 29 2024

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1550 - TYPUS ORBIS UNIVERSALIS

Map makerSizeMap IDCondition
Sebastian Munster 360 x 250 mmD2 / M125 / I46Some minor foxing. Coloured.

Munster 's world map in ovaloid projection is one of the most sought after sixteenth century maps. Unlike many of its contemporaries, the great southern land is completely omitted.

Unlike many other world maps of the time, Munster has left out the concept of a 'Terra Australis Incognita' altogether choosing to show ocean instead. It was with maps like this one, that Europeans finally began to gain insight into the real nature of the 'modern' world, in contrast to the classical Ptolemaic vision. America is shown although only recently discovered, while Borneo is named as 'Porne'. Magellan's ship Victoria is illustrated with cannons blazing, acknowledging her celebratory circumnavigation of the world. It was maps such as this that added confusion to the true identity of Toprabana. Here it is shown far to the east of India and could well represent Sumatra and not Ceylon . Only a few islands are shown in Southeast Asia including Java and Gilolo. The map features forbidding sea monsters as well as head winds, reminiscent of other 16th century maps. This was to be the popular view of the world until Ortelius' 1570 world map.

This information is adopted from the Printed World catalogue series, one of the most enjoyable and informative Australian Antique map catalogues available, created and compiled by Simon Dewez.


View map online on http://www.antiquemapart.com/map/125