The earliest available atlas map of Africa

MUNSTER, Sebastian.

La table & description universelle de toute l'Afrique, voire estendu outre les limites de Ptol.
Basle, Henri Petri, c.1552, French text edition. Woodcut, printed area 270 x 345mm.

A little faint staining.

An early edition of Munster's famous map of Africa, the first atlas map to show the whole continent. A one-eyed giant is seated over Nigeria, representing the mythical tribe of the 'Monoculi', and an elephant fills southern Africa. Also marked are several kingdoms, including that of Prester John, and 'Meroë', the mythical tombs of the Nubian Kings. The large text box contains a guide for sailing from Cadiz to Calecut in India.

BETZ 3.
Stock ID : 23047