Exceptionally scarce and beautiful woodcut map of Greece, the peninsula Peloponnese and the island Crete. This coloured woodcut originates from the first German edition of Polybius' work 'The Histories'. The illustration is based on the map type of Ptolemy. Printed by Sebastian Henricpetri in Basel, 1574.
TITLE:
'Beschreibung des Griechenlandts.'
WORK:
'Römische Historien. Auß Griechischer sprach in die Teutsche gebracht durch W. Xylander ...'
AUTHOR:
Polybius (200 - 180 BC), Greek historian, whose most famous work 'The Histories' describes in detail the history of Rome in the period 264 - 146 BC.
PRINT:
Sebastian Henricpetri, Basel, 1574
DESCRIPTION:
Coloured woodcut from the first German edition of 'The Histories' by Polybius, printed by Sebastian Henricpetri, 1574. The type of illustration is based on the model of Ptolemy's maps and shows the area of Macedonia with Greece. There are furthermore illustrated the peninsula Peloponnese and the islands Crete and Euboea. Cordilleras, courses of rivers, the most important cities and the illustration of sea are realized. There also exist 3 small information boxes with the text: 1. "Die Landschafft Epirus.", 2. "Peloponnesus mit allen nachgelegnen Orthern." and 3. "Die Landschafft Macedonia/ mit ihrer gantzen gelegenheit.". Verso historical information about the First Punic War.
SIZE:
leaf about: w 41,2 cm x h 32,5 cm
CONDITION:
- considering its age in remarkably good condition
- good paper quality, just minimal age toning and stains
- strong print
- print loss in centerfold
