{"product_id":"sumatra-ein-grosse-insel-so-von-den-alten-geographen-taprobana-ist-genent-worden-munster-1574","title":"Sumatra - Munster c. 1540","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"7\"\u003eSumatra ein grosse Insel so von den alten Geographen Taprobana ist genennt worden\u003c\/i\u003e (Sumatra, a large island which was called Taprobana by the ancient geographers)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"169\"\u003eCartographer:\u003c\/b\u003e Sebastian Münster (1488–1552) \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"213\"\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e Basel, from \u003ci data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"236\"\u003eCosmographia Universalis\u003c\/i\u003e, c. 1540–1588 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"3\" data-index-in-node=\"275\"\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/b\u003e Woodcut engraving\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"4\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/b\u003e A foundational map of the Southeast Asian archipelago, representing one of the earliest obtainable maps of Sumatra. Münster, a scholar and polymath, famously confused the ancient name \"Taprobana\" (usually associated with Sri Lanka) with Sumatra, a common geographical error of the 16th century that persisted for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eThe map is famous for the large, charming woodcut illustration on the left depicting an elephant, reflecting the European fascination with the exotic wildlife of the East. The German text in the cartouche below the elephant discusses the local trade in pepper and other spices, citing the accounts of the Italian traveler Ludovico di Varthema.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"6\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"6\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-path-to-node=\"7\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,0,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eEarly Woodcut Style:\u003c\/b\u003e The map features the bold, sturdy lines characteristic of 16th-century woodblock printing, which predates the finer copperplate engravings of the 17th century.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,1,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eExotic Imagery:\u003c\/b\u003e The elephant illustration makes this one of the most visually recognizable and \"iconic\" maps for collectors of early Southeast Asian history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"7,2,0\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eHistorical Error:\u003c\/b\u003e The map labels Sumatra as \"Taprobana,\" providing a fascinating look at the evolution of geographical knowledge during the Age of Discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Treasures of the Orient","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43737651216449,"sku":null,"price":3000.0,"currency_code":"SGD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/7125\/5105\/files\/E97B7733-67DC-4BC9-91D6-A89188A371D9.jpg?v=1775288927","url":"https:\/\/treasuresoftheorient.com\/products\/sumatra-ein-grosse-insel-so-von-den-alten-geographen-taprobana-ist-genent-worden-munster-1574","provider":"Treasures of the Orient","version":"1.0","type":"link"}