1552 Munster Leaf Denmark History Ancient Rulers Thule
1552 Description of the Kingdom of Denmark
from "Cosmographia" by Sebastian Münster
"L'origine du royaume de Danemarch"
Geography, History, Ancient Rulers, Thule
One woodcut picture
Single authentic woodcut leaf from
"Cosmographia" by Sebastian Münster. French edition; Basel printing
house of Sebastian Heinrich-Petri 1552. Book IIII,
pages
1009-1010.
Sebastian
Münster (1488-1552) was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and
Hebrew scholar whose Cosmographia (1544; "Cosmography") was the earliest
German description of the world and a major work
- after the Nuremberg Chronicle of 1493 - in the revival of
geographic thought in 16th-century Europe. Altogether, about 40 editions of the
Cosmographia appeared during 1544-1628.
Although other cosmographies predate Münster's, he is given
first place in historical discussions of this sort of publication, and
was a major influence on his subject for over 200 years.
Cosmographia contained not
only the latest maps and views of many well-known cities, but included
an encyclopaedic amount of detail about the known - and unknown - world
and undoubtedly must have been one of the most widely read books of its
time. Aside from the well-known maps and views present in the
Cosmographia (including
the first separate printed map of the Western Hemisphere),
the text is thickly sprinkled with vigorous woodcuts:
portraits of kings and princes, costumes and occupations, habits and
customs, flora and fauna, monsters and horrors.
Click here for more information about Münster
and Cosmographia, including the content and
list of editions and artists
This authentic
leaf from the first French edition of Cosmographia
is devoted to
Denmark. Page 1009 describes the kingdom of Denmark. It mentions places
of historical significance, such as Roskilde (Roschilde), Helsingborg
(Helsimborg), Bornholm, Sjaelland (Zelande), Scaane (Scanie), Schleswig
(Schlesuich), Gotland (Gothlande), Fyn (Fion), Thyle (Thule), Codan (the Baltic), etc.
The island of Thule is described in the account of the travels of
Pytheas of Marseilles, who visited it ca. 330 B.C.
It can be considered certain that the land of amber
was the western shore of the peninsula of Jutland to the north
of the estuary of the Elbe. Most scholars of ancient geography describe this
account as mere fantasy.
Scholars have tried to identify Thule with Iceland, the Shetland Islands,
or an island on the
Norwegian coast between Bergen and Trondheim.
The ancient history of Denmark is described next.
The text talks about
ancient kings of Denmark, including
Danus I (first king of Denmark, 1040-999 BC), Humblus, Lotherus,
Gram (or Gran; a king of Norway; 889-858 BC),
Suibdagerus (a king of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway),
Hadingus (818-764), Frotho I,
Haldanus I, Rhoe, Helgo,
Hotherus (King of Denmark and Sweden, 527-485)
Roric Slyngeband,
Hugletus (228-176),
Danus III, Hiarnus (AD 19-21) , Fridlevus, Frotho III,
Ingellus (AD 79-102), Olaus, Haraldus,
Haldanus, Unquinus (king of Gothland, AD 146-155), Sivaldus...
The leaf contains
one woodcut picture
of the coat-of-arms of Denmark.
See scans for more details; click image to view larger version.
Page measures 7.2 x 10.8 inches.
Printed on laid paper.
The leaf is in good condition.
Imperfections: minor browning in margins; margins have been slightly trimmed.
This is a rare and exceptionally interesting historical document which
will look great with a mat and frame.
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This item is unconditionally guaranteed to be original and as described. We do not sell reproductions or
copies.
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