210 historic pages / leaves with numerous woodcuts and two large double-page city views

Author: Sebastian Münster

Work: “Cosmographia” or “Cosmographei”

Date: 16th / 17th century

Extent: 210 loose pages / or leaves

Printing technique: Letterpress printing with numerous woodcuts     some with old hand-coloring

Special features: two large double-page city views

Extensive collection comprising a total of 210 loose pages or leaves from various editions of Sebastian Münster’s famous “Cosmographia.” First book, third book, the other book.

First published in the 16th century, this work is among the most important illustrated descriptions of the world and its countries of its time. The present leaves primarily cover German cities, landscapes, mining, metallurgy, history, population, and regional features.

They include numerous historical woodcuts, among them city views, landscapes, groups of people, scenes of work and mining, and other illustrations of cultural and historical interest. Some of the illustrations are old hand-colored.

Of particular note are two large double-page views:

• -   City view of Colmar
• -   City view of Meißen

As the typography, page layout, and coloring differ in some respects, the leaves “presumably” come from different years or different editions of the “Cosmographia”. No precise identification of all the leaves has been made.

Condition:

Condition consistent with age and storage, with varying degrees of preservation. There may be browning, foxing, soiling, crease and fold marks, small tears, edge damage, losses, and signs of earlier use. The double-page views have the usual central folds.

The leaves are expressly offered as a historical, uncollated collection. Completeness within individual chapters or editions is not guaranteed. Please refer to the available photographs for condition and extent; inspection is recommended.

loose collection; not a complete book

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