Munster's 'upside-down' map of Europe in original colour

MUNSTER, Sebastian.

Europa Prima Nova Tabula.
Basle, Henri Petri, c.1542, Latin edition. Woodcut in original colour. 270 x 340mm.

A fine example of Munster's modern map of Europe in rare early colour. Pubished in the 'Geographia', it is oriented with south at the top of the map and is decorated with a large sailing ship in the Bay of Biscay. Scandinavia is omitted other than Denmark as is most of Scotland. On the reverse the text has a woodcut border with portraits of nobles and a reclining pope. Some sources also claim this map to be the first printed antique map of Europe.

KARROW 58/101.
Stock ID : 20153