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1628 – S. Munster – Europa Regina

Title:                   “[Europa Regina]”
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Description:

Allegorical map showing Europe in the shape of a woman. The representation of Europa Regina, or Queen of the World, was first drawn by Johannes Bucius in 1537. Her crown, placed on the Iberian peninsula, is shaped after the Carolingian hoop crown. France and the Holy Roman Empire make up the upper part of her body, with Bohemia being the heart. Her long gown stretches to Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Livonia, Bulgaria, Muscovy, Macedonia and Greece. In her arms, formed by Italy and Denmark, she holds a sceptre and an orb (Sicily). When the Europa regina was introduced, Charles V of Habsburg controlled both the Holy Roman Empire and the kingdoms of Spain, claiming to be the universal emperor of Europe. This may explain why the map is oriented westwards to have Spain as the crowned head, and why the imperial insignia – sceptre, Carolingian crown, and orb – are those of the Holy Roman Emperor.

Map comes from the German edition of Sebastian Münster’s Cosmography, titled “Cosmographey oder beschreibung aller Länder”, published in 1628 by Heinrich Petri in Basel. The woodblock of this map was used from 1588.

Cartographer:      Sebastian Munster​ (1488 – 1552)
Sheet size:         36,0 x 23,5 cm
Year:                  1628
Technique:           woodblock

Condition:
Very good condition. Attractive hand coloring.

This is an original  antique map published in 1628 and NOT a modern copy or reprint.

 

On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity




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