1548 / 1606 Europa, die erste Tafel diser Chronicken, so im ersten Buch begriffen
By: Johann Stumpf
Date: 1548 / 1606 (circa) Switzerland
Dimensions: 11 x 15.5 inches (28 x 39.5 cm)
This very rare woodcut map of Europe, published in the Schweitzer Chronik, is a derivative of an earlier map by the renowned cartographer Sebastian Münster, but it stands out as much rarer and more sought after due to its detailed decorations. This particular version is a second, later edition with a new title, showcasing Europe in a unique orientation with south at the top, adding an interesting twist to the viewer's perspective.
In the lower left corner, the map depicts Poland and Livonia, while in the lower right, parts of England and Ireland are visible. The upper sections of the map feature Portugal and the tip of Africa to the right, while Sardinia, Sicily, and the Peloponnesus are seen to the left. The map is richly decorated with sea monsters and sailing ships, common embellishments in 16th-century maps, which served to both entertain and propagate the dangers of sea travel during that period.
This map is part of a series originally included in the publication Landtaflen, known for being the first national atlas of Switzerland and one of the earliest national atlases in Europe. The maps in this collection were prepared by Johannes Stumpf (1500-1576) and engraved by Heinrich I. Vogtherr (1490-1556) from Strassburg. The atlas was an important milestone in Swiss cartography and a major contribution to European geographical knowledge of the time.
The map’s origins are traced back to the Cosmographia by Münster and to the earlier work of Waldseemüller, indicating its intellectual heritage within the tradition of Renaissance cartography. The beautifully crafted details, from the topographical elements to the ornate borders and text, elevate this map’s historical and aesthetic significance. Its rarity and connection to the Swiss national atlas make it a noteworthy piece for collectors and historians alike.
Johann Stumpf (1500–1578) was a Swiss historian and cartographer best known for his contributions to the development of early national atlases. His most famous work, Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, Landen und Völckeren Chronick wirdiger Thaaten Beschreybung (1548), also known as the Schweitzer Chronik, was a monumental historical chronicle of Switzerland. This work was richly illustrated with over 4,000 woodcuts, including some of the earliest maps of Switzerland and Europe. Stumpf's detailed maps, engraved by Heinrich Vogtherr, were among the first to provide a comprehensive visual depiction of the Swiss Confederation and its surrounding regions, making them important milestones in European cartography.
Condition: Map is in A condition with a strong print impression on clean paper and ample margins on all sides. A faint stain appears off the coast of Francia and on the opposite this side of the map, which does not distract from what is an overwhelming captivating image.
Inventory #12840
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622