This is a very nice early Ptolemaic woodcut map of the Arabian Peninsula, here called Arabia Felix. It is a reasonably accurate representation for its day but with a wider southern portion and distorted the shape of the Arabian Gulf. The map is presented on a trapezoidal projection with parallels and meridians (forerunners of lines of longitude and latitude) enumerated in the borders. Details include topography, the major towns while the rivers and many islands are imaginary. The cartouche includes the names of local tribes and a fanciful mermaid is shown in the sea. Latin text on verso contained in decorative border with columns at the sides and church dome above. This map was very influential and provided the basis on which European cartography depicted the region for nearly a century.
1550 Munster Map of the Arabian Peninsula
Title
Tabula Asiae VI
Map Maker Specifics
S Munster, 1550, Basel
Size
10.2 X 13.5 in. plus margins
Condition
Very Good-Good. Nice strike on laid paper. Some soiling, mostly in the margins. Slight split in upper portion of the issued centerfold. Latin text on verso. Uncolored.