Description: Heinrich Bunting, 1588 Sweden
Caption: This unusual map focuses on the Old World showing Europe, Asia and Africa in outline with the locations of the principal cities noted. In Africa, the Nile originates in the Montes Lunae and a large island in the river is the location of Meroe, the mythical tombs of the Nubian Kings. A huge Caspian Sea and enlarged Ganges River dominate Asia. The most interesting parts of the map are in the bottom corners where there is a short coastline of Brazil, (America) at left and what appears to a part of Australia (Sodre Indien or South Indies) at right. Several sea monsters guard the oceans, which are patterned to give the appearance of waves or currents. The typesetting was inset separately into the wood blocks, resulting in variations between different editions. This example is from a rare Swedish edition published by Gutterwitz circa 1588, with Swedish text on verso. 14.3 x 10.7 inches