Europa Regina [Europe as a Queen]

Basel, 1570. unbound. Map. Wood engraving. Published in Basel cira 1570. Sheet measures 13 1/2" x 8 1/4"

Hand-colored woodblock map of Europe symbolically illustrated as an imperial ruler. The continent is shown oriented vertically, with Spain and Portugal as her crowned head and Italy as her right arm clutching an orb and cross. German text below and on verso. In very good(+) condition, with minor signs of wear. Faint dampstain and small archival repair to closed tear at upper corner of verso, not affecting the image.

Professor Sebastian Munster (1488-1552) was a German cosmographer, humanist, theologian and scholar. His seminal (truncated) work "Cosmographia" was published in numerous languages and is considered the most popular book of the 16th century. Munster is also credited with contributing to a revival of geography in Germany. (Inventory #: 325444)