The first atlas map of the continent of Africa

MUNSTER, Sebastian.

Africa XXV Nova Tabula.
Basle, Henri Petri, 1552, Latin text edition. Woodcut, sheet 300 x 375mm.

Munster's famous map of Africa, the first atlas map to show the whole continent, apart from the tip of the Horn. A one-eyed giant is seated over Nigeria, representing the mythical tribe of the 'Monoculi', and an elephant fills southern Africa. Also marked are several kingdoms, including that of Prester John, and 'Meroë', capital of Kush in Nubia. The large text box contains a guide for sailing from Cadiz to Calecut in India.
This example comes from the last edition of the 'Geographia', the only printing with the longitude and latitude bars. The map continued to appear in the 'Cosmographia' until 1578. A new map based on Ortelius appeared in 1588.

BETZ: 3, variant 9.
Stock ID : 18770