13 leaves from “Cosmographia” by Sebastian Münster. Including four maps. [Basel, second half of 16th cent.]
13 leaves of the book, concerning Eretz Israel and the vicinity, with illustrations and four maps (woodcuts):
1. Map of Eretz Israel and Syria. 17X26 cm. Laor 528.
2. Die heilige statt Jerusalem contrafehtet nach form uns gestalt wie sie ietz erbauwen ist. View of Jerusalem. 38X15 cm. Laor 1087.
3. Syria/Cypern/Palestina/Mesapotamia/Babylonia / zwey Arabia/mit Bergen, Wasseren und Stetten. Map of the Midle East. 36X30 cm. Laor 531.
4. Das Heilig Landt mit ausztheilung der zwolff Geschlechter [Holy Land, with division into the Twelve Tribes territories]. In spite of the title, the borders of the Twelve Tribes are not marked. 36X31 cm. Laor 523.
The book "Cosmographia" deals with geography, history, zoology, botany, ethnography and astronomy and is accompanied by hundreds of maps and illustrations of lands and cities around the world. The first German edition was published in 1544, and is considered the earliest German description of the world. Numerous editions have been published later in German, Latin, French, Italian and Czech. The leaves presented here were printed in one of the German editions of the book. [13] leaves, 34 cm. Fair-good condition. Spots, minor tears, library ink stamp and label of a book store on three of the leaves. Tears, moth-holes, spots and a tear restored with adhesive tape to the fourth map. Damages to binding.