MÜNSTER, SEBASTIAN, AND HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER | Typus cosmographicus universalis. Basel, [1532 or later] 

Property from a Distinguished Private Collection

MÜNSTER, SEBASTIAN, AND HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER

Typus cosmographicus universalis. Basel, [1532 or later] 

Woodcut map of the world on two sheets joined at the center (totaling 14 7/8 x 22 3/8 in., 376 x 569 mm). Spandrel vignettes, two large panels of inset type, several place names typeset; remargined on three sides, several short repaired tears and tiny surface losses. Handsomely framed with UVIII Plexiglass.

This handsome map first appeared in the 1532 Basel edition of Huttich and Grynaeus's Novus orbis regionum, and is adorned with border vignettes attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger (1497–1543). The most compelling vignettes feature winged angels at the poles turning the World on its axis with crank handles, suggesting Copernicus's theory of the rotation of the Earth thirteen years before the publication of his De Revolutionibus. Geographically the map is quite antiquated, particularly its depiction of North America as the narrow "Terra de Cuba," but the multitude of embellishments—sea-monsters, mermaids, ships, winged serpents, an elephant, native peoples, hunting scenes, and cannibals preparing a meal—offer some compensation.

REFERENCE:

Shirley 67