Very rare original antique map of Europe was published by Johann Stumpf the 1548 edition of Gemeiner Loblicher Eydgnoschafft or Schweitzer Chronik. The map is a derivative of the earlier map by Sebastian Münster, but is much rarer and more desirable to collectors due to finer wood-cut design and decoration.
The map has undergone some professional restoration to the bottom corners which has not detracted from the overall presentation of this rare scarce map. The map is not coloured as originally published.

This rare and striking map of Europe is oriented with south at the top. Although the map is a derivative of Munster`s map of Europe, first published in his Cosmographia in 1544, it supersedes Munster`s map with its elaborate decorations. The continent is filled with miniature bird`s-eye views of towns, trees, exaggerated rivers, and rope-like mountain ranges. The surrounding waters are teeming with galleons and sea monsters of every variety, reminiscent of Olas Magnus` Carta Marina. At the top of the map, to the right of Sardinia, is the sea God Triton, who plays music to calm or raise the waves in the sea. The various seas are labeled in decorative cartouches.

This map was first published in Stumpf`s Gemeiner Loblicher Eydgnoschafft, which was the first national atlas of Switzerland, and the first national atlas published in Europe. Twenty-three woodblock maps were included in the first edition of Stumpf`s atlas, of which 10 were acquired from Honter`s Rudimenta Cosmografica. The remaining 13 maps, including this map of Europe, were newly engraved for Stumpf`s atlas based on the work of Waldseemuller and Munster. It is believed that Stumpf`s atlas was such an excellent example of bookmaking that it incited Munster to make significant improvements to his second edition of Cosmographia.

Johann Stumpf (23 April 1500 – c. 1578) was an early writer on the history and topography of Switzerland.
He was born at Brachial (near Karlsruhe), and was educated there and at Strasbourg and Heidelberg. In 1520 he became a cleric or chaplain in the order of the Knights Hospitaller. He was sent in 1521 to the preceptory of that order at Freiburg in Breisgau, ordained a priest at Basel, and in 1522 was placed in charge of the preceptory at Bubikon (north of Rapperswil (SG), in the canton of Zürich). However, Stumpf went over to the Protestants, was present at the great Disputation in Bern (1528), and took part in the first Kappel War (1529).
In 1529 he married the first of his four wives, a daughter of Heinrich Brennwald, who wrote a work (still in manuscript) on Swiss history, and stimulated his son-in-law to undertake historical studies. Stumpf made wide researches, with this object, for many years, and undertook also several journeys, of which that in 1544 to Engelberg and through the Valais seems to be the most important, perhaps because his original diary has been preserved to us. The fruit of his labours (completed at the end of 1546) was published in 1548 at Zürich in a huge folio of 934 pages (with many fine wood engravings, coats of arms, maps, &c.), under the title of Gemeiner loblicher Eydgnoschafft Stetten, Landen und Voelckeren Chronick wirdiger thaaten Beschreybung (an extract from it was published in 1554, under the name of Schwytzer Chronika, while new and greatly enlarged editions of the original work were issued in 1586 and 1606). The woodcuts are best in the first edition, and it remained till Scheuchzer's day (early 18th century) the chief authority on its subject. (Ref: M&B; Tooley)

General Description:
Paper thickness and quality: - Heavy & stable
Paper color: - White
Age of map color: - 
Colors used: - 
General color appearance: - 
Paper size: - 16 1/4in x 12 1/4in (425mm x 310mm)
Paper size: - 16 1/4in x 12 1/4in (425mm x 310mm)
Margins: - Min 1/2in (25mm)

Imperfections:
Margins: - Bottom, L&R margins extended from border
Plate area: - L&R bottom corners professionally restored
Verso: - As noted

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Classical Images
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