Undecima Asiae tabula

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Very Good

Date Acquired: 25/10/2017

Description: Martin Waldseemüllers edition of Claudius Ptolemys Geography was first published in 1513 by Johann Schott in Strasbourg. Waldseemüller, a German mapmaker and scholar, began his academic journey in 1490 at the University of Freiburg, where he studied under Gregor Reisch (View Record (#103)). After finishing his studies, Waldseemüller moved to the French town of Saint Dié in Lorraine, where he joined the Gymnasium Vosagense, a circle of humanist scholars established by René II, Duke of Lorraine.nAround 1505, Waldseemüller partnered with Matthias Ringmann to publish a new edition of Geography. After several delays, the edition was finally completed in 1513. This work featured twenty-seven Ptolemaic maps, alongside twenty modern maps that incorporated the most recent discoveries. The Ptolemaic maps were included in the first part of the book and comprised a world map, ten maps of Europe, four of Africa, and twelve of Asia including the Undecima Asiae Tabula (Tenth Map of Asia). For Waldseemüllers modern companion map of this region, see View Record (#63).nThis map of Asia, illustrates two main regions: India extra Gangem (India beyond the Ganges) and Sinarum situs (the land of the Sinae). Ptolemy describes India extra Gangem as being bounded by the Ganges River to the west, Scythia and Serica to the north, the Sinae region to the east, and the Indian Ocean to the south. In the map, a large, unusual peninsula, called Aurea Chersonesus (Golden Peninsula), extends beyond the equator.nTo the north of Aurea Chersonesus, a long mountain range Meandrus mons, is shown. Ptolemy identifies this as one of four significant mountain ranges in India extra Gangem, alongside Bepyruss, Damasi, and Semanthini. At the foot of the Meandrus mons, the region of Cirradia is marked, famous in Ptolemys account for producing the finest cinnamon. South of Cirradia, two regions rich in precious metals are depicted: Aurea regio (Kingdom of Gold) and Argentea regio (Kingdom of Silver).nIn the Indian Ocean, Ptolemy described several islands inhabited by fantastical creatures like anthropophagi (man-eaters). Waldseemüllers map features these strange islands, alongside inscriptions drawn from Ptolemys Geography. In the Sinus Gangeticus (Ganges Gulf), the island of Bazacata is shown, where shellfish abound, and the native Agmatae are said to live continuously naked. Further southeast lies Bone Fortune, with ten islands named Maniolae. These islands are noted for their magnetic properties, said to attract ships with iron nails, and are inhabited by anthropophagi. Similarly, the S[B]arussae, Sindae, and Sabadicae islands are also home to to man-eating creatures.nFarther east, in the Magnus Sinus (Great Gulf) Waldseemüller marks Labadius (Barley Island), described as the most fertile and rich in gold. He also includes the emporium Argentea, to the northwest of Labadius, as well as three Satyrorum islands, whose inhabitants are rumoured to have tails.

First published: Geographiae opus nouissima traductione e Graecorum archetypis castigatissime pressum… Strasbourg: Johann Schott, 1513

Image Size (cm): 48×38.5

Mapmaker: Waldseemüller, Martin (1470-1520)

Other states: Second 1520 using the same woodblocks.

Price: 12,500

Primary Category: Asia

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2022. Email 26 Oct 2017

Rarity: R1 Extremely rare-very occasionally seen on the market

References: Karrow (1993), Martin WaldseemüllernSkelton, Geographia, Strasbourg, 1513

Sheet size (cm): 64×46

Technique: Woodcut

This state: 1513, First