Sebastian Münster (1489–1552) - Cosmographia Universalis...

This original sheet is a precious Renaissance page drawn from the inner sections of the fifth book in the Latin edition of 1550 of Sebastian Münster's Cosmographia universalis, printed in Basel by the publisher Heinrich Petri. The page front hosts the solemn chorographic section titled LIBER V (page 1265), expressly dedicated by Münster to the description of the New World and the great ocean routes. The Latin text develops under the chorographic chapter Magellanus per fretum angustum ab occidente venit in orientem (Cap. CLXIIII), offering a dense and engaging historiographic chronicle centered on the expedition of Ferdinand Magellan (Magellanus dux classis), named commander by Emperor Charles V. Münster describes with deep solemnity the bold transoceanic voyage begun in 1519, the travails along the South American coasts inhabited by cannibal peoples, and the memorable discovery of the narrow passage that unites the two oceans, then advancing into the dramatic narration of the southernly cold winter and the encounter with the legendary giants of Patagonia. The visual composition of the front is enriched by a fine initial woodcut animated and accompanied by marginal contemporary glosses (Magellanus dux classis, Sordidum conuiuium) printed to highlight the most significant passages of this epic Renaissance exploration. Turning the page, the back (page 1266) continues the development of the historical chronicle with the header DE TERRIS ASIAE MAIORIS, continuing the analysis of the Eastern routes. The Latin text unfolds as a dense and erudite geographical and anthropological dissertation on the geographical discoveries accomplished by the fleet after passing the strait, delving into the vast Pacific Ocean up to the Philippine archipelago and the Spice Islands. Münster recounts in detail the first contacts with the indigenous populations of the islands of Subuth and Massana, describing their dietary customs, the use of bread made from roots, and the peculiar liquors distilled from palms, then turns with stern tones to the tragic armed encounter in which Magellan fell (Magellanus occumbit in prelio) and the subsequent assumption of command by Giovanni Serrano. The discussion ends with an interesting geographical description of the islands of Gilolo, Borneo and Siloli (Siloli. Borne.), examining their wealth of spices such as cloves and ginger. The page is solemnly enriched by typographical marginal notes (Fretum ductũ ex occidente in orientem, Panis extrũco, Magellanus occumbit in prelio, Siloli. Borne.) and closes with the author's historiographic notes, whose monumental work is aimed at offering 16th-century scholars a universal guide to understand the morals, geography, and the changes of the peoples of Earth through the ages. Dimensions 30 x 20 cm Will be shipped by courier

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