1550 Aphricae Tabula II.
By: Sebastian Münster
Date: 1550 (circa) Basel
Dimensions: 11 x 13.25 inches (27 cm x 33.02 cm)
This bold Ptolemaic map by Munster starts approximately where Tabula I of northern Africa stops, and covers Tunisia, and the site of the Phoenician’s ancient metropolis, Carthage, so thoroughly sacked by the Romans. The coastline is remarkably accurately depicted, and show ports, cities and rivers which flow to the Mediterranean. The islands of Sicily and Malta are depicted near the toe of Italy, and the Adriatic Sea is labeled. Next to it we see a portion of what is probably modern day Croatia.
Inland we see topographical features including mountains, rivers and lakes. Major cities are named, as are various kingdoms of the day. A violent storm on the Mediterranean is depicted with a large ship going down and sailors scrambling to save themselves. The border shows longitude and latitude coordinates. Latin text on the verso describes certain details of the maps. Latin text on the recto and verso describe the map. The border shows longitude and latitude coordinates.
Condition: This map is in C+ condition. The woodcut impression is crisp. There is water staining at some edges, spotting in the lower left quadrant, and minor toning of the centerfold. A separation in the lower margin has been repaired with archival material on the verso.
Inventory #19580
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