1552 Tabula Europae II

By: Sebastian Munster Date: 1552 (Published) Basel Dimensions: 11 x 13.4 inches (28 cm x 34 cm) This marvelous woodcut map of the Iberian peninsula including Spain, a portion of France, and the northwest corner of Africa, from Munster’s 1552 Latin edition of Ptolemy’s Geographia. The map is in a trapezoidal border, and the verso features descriptive text in Latin with an elaborate border of architectural details, ribbons, cherubs with trumpets and soldiers in armour, one from antiquity and the other in more modern regalia. The map is presented according to Ptolemy and the classic texts. It is filled with Roman and ancient place names. It details topographical features, the cities of Spain and its mountain ranges, including the Pyrenees. Major river systems are denoted, and each city is distinguished with architectural images in miniature. A large lighthouse is depicted on the northern shore of Mauritaniae.  Three insets of text in Latin provide additional information. This map differ