MAP 15
PTOLEMY & MUNSTER Ptolemeisch General Tafel / die hable kugel der Welt begreiffende 1588 Basel
SPECIAL FEATURES:
I, Harald Leuba, am listing this map on eBay with the permission of the eBay account holder, my wife of 56 years, Nancy Kingsbury, aka "Showjudge".
Nancy is worried about how to find homes for our "stuff" when I die -- > if I die before her.
We have enjoyed living with this map framed on the walls of our home, but as I age, (I am now 86), I feel that I ought to protect IT from becoming lost in some 2nd hand store and, more importantly, I want to protect Nancy from having to cope with how to harvest its reasonable value in a time of personal stress.
Yes, in other words, we are downsizing.
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I bought this map from John Faupel, Antique Atlas, East Grinstead, UK some 30 years ago.
I have misplaced John's catalog #96; this was his # 18.
But (a) John titled it: PTOLEMY & MUNSTER, Ptolemeisch General Tafel / die halbe kugel der Welt begreiffende” Basel 1588
And (b) Here is a description of this map from the internet today:
“Ptolemeisch General Tafel/die halbe Kugel der Welt begreiffende” Claudius Ptolemy - Sebastian Petri. Basle: Sebastian Münster, c. 1588. Woodcut engraving on hand-made paper. (Shirley #162). (Paper: 342 x 422mm – 13 3.8 x 16 5/8‘‘ Image: 310 x 383mm - 12 ¼ x 14 ¼’’)
This early woodcut map, with twelve named wind-gods blowing from the clouds surrounding the map, depicts much of Europe, Asia and Africa. It is based on Ptolemy’s Geographia, & drawn on his homeotheric projection (which entailed the representation of both latitude & longitude as curved lines). “For some thirteen hundred years man’s geographic heritage was carried in the writings of Claudius Ptolemy. His calculations in the second century A.D...formed the basis from which the art & science of cartography were to develop”. (Nebenzahl; The Compass, #9).
Münster was an eminent Renaissance scholar & mapmaker. “The names of three cartographers dominate the 16th century: Mercator, Ortelius and Münster, and of these three Münster probably had the widest influence in spreading geographical knowledge throughout Europe…” (Antique Maps, Moreland & Bannister, p. 78).
Handsome large 16th century Ptolemaic map in exceptionally nice condition - sharp image, wide margins, very clean.
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My comment:
Israel is the centre of this world view – literally on the map and physically because all four winds send the prayers in the Holy Land straight up!
Our map has been professionally framed; the framer did not do any repair or “restoration” – none was needed.
Our map has ORIGINAL color.
The frame is 22 ¾ x 21; the engraving measures 14 x12 ¾.
There are no spots, or tears, or repairs. The margins are full. Every part of the image is crisp and bright.
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If you are interested enough in maps to be considering buying an Original Antique, you know that the plates for antique maps were often reused/reprinted/recycled/revised and that there are many different (related) versions available today. You will also know that maps were not usually stand-alone images. They appeared in bibles, histories, and even atlases!
Last October, Barry Ruderman came to our house to look at our maps with a view to his acquiring our whole collection. He was warmly professional and lived up to his reputation for expertise. He said that our maps had been well cared for and were in good condition.
He put an estimated market value on this map of $1,600.
--> if he were to offer it for sale in his business.
{Of course, since he has to make a profit in his business, he did not offer us that much!}
I am listing this map here at 10% less than his selling price!
Take a look and make an offer.
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Our map was professionally framed, but the framer made no restoration or repair – none was needed.
The map is in excellent condition!
If you want THIS map, I will ship it framed ($38) or unframed ($18), and -> if you live within an hour of Washington, DC you MAY come by and collect it - or ask me to deliver it free.
Please help us find a new home for this STUNNING treasure!
Thank you for looking.
Harald & Nancy
P.S. Inflation? NO! When I bought my first map, there was silver in our US coinage. When I was in college, I could buy a gallon of gas for a silver quarter and mail a letter home for 4ç. I can STILL buy a gallon gas for the value of that silver quarter, but postage is now 60ç.
Antique maps have doubled in price in the last ten years. Are they a store of value? I think so, but whether they are or not, they can be a permanent source of pleasure.
P.P.S I am using the proceeds of this sale, not to add “dollars” to my bank account, but to support local charities (to help neighbors who have lost income due to covid)!
I hope you are pleased with your purchase and have warm feelings about helping others.