Honter, Johannes.

Pirckheimer, Willibald. Germaniae ex variis scriptoribus perbrevis explicatio, Nuremberg: Johannes Petrejus, 1530, title within historiated woodcut border, [Sabin 63016]



[Apianus, Petrus]. Cosmographiae introductio. Ingolstadt, 1529 [colophon dated 1533], third issue, title with woodcut globe, woodcut maps and illustrations in text, [Van Ortroy 83; cf. Karrow 7/K; Sabin 1740 and 1741, with varying dates on title and colophon]



3 works bound in one volume, 8vo (152 x 98mm.), old vellum, slightly browned, wormholes in margins

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Honter's work is exceptionally rare. This copy contains the western hemisphere of his world map (showing America) which is rarer still, indeed apparently unique. Shirley notes that "two of the very few copies known to contain Honter's world map – those from Kraków and Hamburg – were both destroyed in World War II". We have traced only four other extant copies of Honter's work, none of which has the map.

Having narrowly escaped destruction by fire in 1790, the original woodblock for this map was transferred to the museum of the Jagiellonian University, Cracow, where another printing was made in 1849 – this is the image used by Shirley. However, following the German occupation of Kraków from 1939, the block was lost, making this fragment apparently the only example of an original printing of the map.

Pirckheimer's work is also of American interest: Sabin notes that "this rare little work, printed throughout in Italic type, closes with an account of Hispaniola and the continent of America, which is here called Sancta Martha".