Surprisingly accurate map of the Malay Peninsula
By MUNSTER, Sebastian , 1588
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Sumatra ein grosse Insel so von den alten Geographen Taprobana genennet worden.

Asia Southeast Asia
  • Author: MUNSTER, Sebastian
  • Publication place: [Basel
  • Publisher: Henric Petri
  • Publication date: 1588].
  • Physical description: Woodcut map, with fine hand-colour in full, browned, edges frayed.
  • Dimensions: 340 by 420mm. (13.5 by 16.5 inches).
  • Inventory reference: 17597

Notes

Decorative, and surprisingly accurate, map of the island of Sumatra, and the Malay Peninsula with “Cingalolo” as part of the mainland. The clue is in the title, which translates as: “Sumatra a large island and which was named Taprobana by the ancient geographers”. With this map Petri has updated his father-in-law, Munster’s, earlier map with the same title which shows Ceylon. However, the title on the verso retains the earlier name: “Taprobana. Taprobane der Insel Beschreibung so in dem Indianschen Meere ist gelegen” [Taprobana. The description of Taprobana is an island which lies in the Indian Ocean].
Published in Petri’s revised German language edition of Munster’s ‘Cosmographey oder Beschreibung aller Länder herrschafftenn und fürnemesten Stetten des gantzen Erdbodens sampt ihren Gelegenheiten, Eygenschafften, Religion, Gebreuchen, Geschichten unnd Handthierungen’, with maps updated using Ortelius’s ‘Theatrum’ as a guide.

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