77/5105 [Ceylon]. "Sumatra ein grosse Insel, so von den alten Geographen Taprobana, ist genennt worden." Handcol. woodcut map with cartouche and illustration of an elephant left of the map, together 25x33,5 cm., from an early edition of S. MÜNSTER, Cosmographei, 1574.

- A few closed wormholes in lower sea area.

= Verso w. letterpress "Beschreibung dieser Insel Taprobana so in den Indianischen Möre gelegen ist" within nice woodcut border. In 16th century Europe there was a great deal of confusion with regard to the island of Tapobrana. While it is most commonly associated with Ceylon (Sri Lanka), from the 15th century onward it was also identified with Sumatra. The island on this map is certainly Ceylon, with in the upper right corner "Pars Indiae". In Münster's Cosmographei, however, a similar double page is to be found, also featuring an elephant and large cartouche and with the same running title, this time really showing Sumatra (and the southern part of Malaysia) and with the elephant and cartouche at the right. SEE ILLUSTRATION PLATE LXXXIX.