APIAN, PETER | Tipus orbis universalis iuxta Ptolemei cosmographi traditionem et Americi Vespucii aliorque lustrationes a Petro Apiano Leysnico elucbrat An. Do. MDXX. [Vienna,] 1520

Property from a Distinguished Private Collection

APIAN, PETER

Tipus orbis universalis iuxta Ptolemei cosmographi traditionem et Americi Vespucii aliorque lustrationes a Petro Apiano Leysnico elucbrat An. Do. MDXX. [Vienna,] 1520

Full-sheet woodcut map of the world (11 7/8 x 18 in.; 302 x 458 mm); trimmed close, just touching a fleuron at bottom margin, short separation at central fold, two small repaired marginal chips at top, marginal restoration. Handsomely framed with UVIII Plexiglass.

The earliest obtainable authentic map with the place name America. Apian's striking truncated cordiform projection of the world is derived from Waldseemüller's monumental 1507 wall map and first appeared in the 1520 Viennese edition of Solinus's Polyhistor. The map is also sometimes found in Mela's De situ orbis (Basel, 1522), and copies were probably also sold separately.

The lengthy title acknowledges the discoveries of Amerigo Vespucci, and two wreaths set in the lower corners recognize with monograms Apian's collaborators: "L. F." for Laurent Fries, a draughtsman, woodcutter, and significant mapmaker in his own right; "J. K." for Johann Kamers (Johannes Camertius), the publisher; and "L. A." for Luca Alantses, who paid for the production of the map. 

REFERENCE:

Shirley 45; cf. Burden, The Mapping of North America, p. xxv, pl. XII