Tabula Asiae VIII

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Excellent

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 08/09/2022

Description: Sebastian Münster was a German mapmaker, cosmographer and professor of Hebrew at the University of Basel. Among his notable works was the Latin edition of Claudius Ptolemys Geography, first published in Basel in 1540. This edition featured twenty-seven Ptolemaic maps, including Tabula Asiae VIII, alongside twenty-one modern maps. Münsters Geography was subsequently reprinted in Latin in 1542, 1545, and 1552. nThis 1552 edition of Tabula Asiae VIII presents a second-century perspective of the region north of India and the Ganges River. The map reflects the ancient Roman understanding of Scythia. This vast region, encompassing much of Northern Asia. Is divided into Scythia Intra Imaum and Scythia Extra Imaum, by the prominent Mount Imaum (Imaus mons). The imposing Himalayas stretch across the lower half of the map.nA distinctive feature of this map is the depiction of monstrous peoples associated with India. In the northeast corner, an illustration labelled Anthropophagi shows a scene of cannibalism. To the left, a sciapod, shields itself from the sun with its oversized foot, while tiny pygmies battle with cranes. On the right, the map features Blemmyes, headless beings with faces on their chests, and a Cynocephalus, or dog-headed man.

First published: Geographia universalis, vetus et nova complectens Claudii Ptolemaei Alexandrini enarrationis libros VIII, Basel: Heinrich Petri, 1540

Image Size (cm): 34.4×25

Mapmaker: Münster, Sebastian (1488-1552)

Notes: Purchased with #363

Other states: In subsequent editions of Geographia in 1541, 1542, and 1545

Price: 400

Primary Category: Asia

Rarity: R4 Common – often seen on the market

Sheet size (cm): 38.8×32

Technique: Woodcut

This state: 1552