Typus Cosmographicus Universalis, issued in 1555 but first conceived for Simon Grynaeus’s edition of 1532, is Sebastian Münster’s most theatrical vision of the world—an object where humanist scholarship and Northern Renaissance art meet. Its lineage is unmistakable: the geographies lean on the Schoner Globes and Apian’s influential 1520 map, while the pageantry of its border is attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger. The result is a cosmography that embraces both the newly charted Americas and long-fabled realms of Asia and Africa, set amid a constellation of learned references and pictorial wit. Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and South America are named in confident Latin and vernacular forms, yet the map revels in ambiguity, capturing the exhilarating uncertainty of the mid-sixteenth century’s expanding horizon.

Münster casts the globe in a sumptuous oval projection that mirrors the period’s fascination with elegant mathematical frames. At the poles, cherubs grip cranks amid celestial ornament, an arresting conceit often read—especially in hindsight—as a nod to the Copernican rethinking of the Earth’s motion. The stage-like design transforms geography into cosmography, binding oceans, continents, and winds to the mechanics of heaven. Place-names march across coasts that are at once authoritative and exploratory, their spellings and languages revealing the sources and itineraries of knowledge then in circulation. This is less a static chart than a living diagram of the world’s newly connected parts.

Around the map’s edge, marvel and rumor bloom into images: cannibals feast in distant lands, winged serpents coil through untraveled air, and elephants lumber across Africa—emblems equal parts reportage and allegory. Two narrative vignettes anchor the right border. The lower scene, labeled Vartomanusi, evokes Ludovico di Varthema’s hard-won knowledge of Southeast Asia; above it, a vignette of prized aromatics celebrates the East Indies spice trade. Such scenes draw on travel literature from Vespucci’s Mundus Novus to merchant reports, compressing ethnography, economy, and myth into a single decorative syllabus. They teach the eye to read the margins as carefully as the meridians.

Holbein’s hand lends the whole a courtly poise, fusing clarity of line with a taste for symbolic play. In Münster and Grynaeus’s learned milieu, maps were instruments of inquiry and persuasion—proof that the world could be studied, measured, and told as a compelling story. Here, India, Indochina, and the East Indies shimmer with commercial promise; Ethiopia signals deep antiquity and Christian legend; and the Americas stride into view with new names and uncertain contours. The map’s Latin and vernacular labelling, its visual rhetoric of angels and engines, declare that modernity would advance not by banishing wonder, but by refining it.

Collectors prize this sheet precisely because it embodies that hinge moment when cartography shed medieval habits without forfeiting imagination. Its richly ornamented figures and celestial mechanics invite prolonged looking: one sees not merely coasts and capes, but the early modern mind at work, staging the globe as a theater of knowledge. Every element—from the churning polar cherubs to the spice-scented vignette—argues for a world newly knit by ships, stories, and stars. As an artifact of the 1550s, it remains a consummate expression of curiosity elevated to art, and art enlisted in the service of discovery.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents:
• Europe
• Asia
• Africa
• North America
• South America
• Notable Regions:
• The East Indies
• Indochina
• India
• Ethiopia
• Physical Features:
• Seas and Oceans present, though specific bodies of water are not detailed here.
• Imaginary Locations:
• Regions indicated with mythological or exaggerated significance (e.g., areas labeled with respect to cannibals and mythical creatures).

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Borders: Elaborate decorations featuring scenes of cannibals, winged serpents, elephants, and various mythical creatures.
• Vignettes:
• Lower-right vignette labeled 'Vartomanusi' illustrating exploration themes.
• Upper-right vignette focusing on spice trade.
• Geographical Labels: Various countries and regions labeled in Latin and vernacular.
• Celestial Elements: Cherubs operating cranks at the map's poles, indicative of a conceptual interpretation of the Earth’s movement.
• Artistic Details: Richly ornamented illustrations enhancing the map’s visual appeal and thematic depth.

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Typus Cosmographicus Universalis
• Created: 1555
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Sebastian Munster, Simon Grynaeus; originally printed in 1532.
• Artistic Contributions: Decor attributed to Hans Holbein the Younger, known for his work during the Northern Renaissance.
• Geographical Sources: Influences from the Schoner Globes and Apian’s map (1520).
• Unique Projection: Oval projection similar to other maps of the time, incorporating celestial motifs with cherubs at the poles.
• Artistic Representation: Features angels depicted as turning cranks, possibly representing the Copernican concept of the Earth.
• Imaginary Elements: Includes fantastical creatures and scenes, inspired by travel accounts like Amerigo Vespucci’s Mundus Novus.
• Significant Vignettes:
• 'Vartomanusi' depicting Ludovico di Varthema's explorations in Southeast Asia.
• Illustration of valuable spices from the East Indies.
• Decorative Nature: Considered one of the most decorative early world maps, sought after by collectors.
• Historical Significance: Represents the blending of scientific exploration and artistic interpretation in the 16th century, showcasing a transition in cartography towards a more imaginative worldview.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 24x36in (60x90cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 5-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your order for any reason, contact me and I'll get it fixed ASAP, free of charge. Please see my returns and refund policy for more information.

I am very confident you will like your restored map or art print. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and art prints and have over 5,000 real 5-star reviews. My work has been featured in interior design magazines, on the BBC, and on the walls of dozens of 5-star hotels.

I use a unique process to restore maps and artwork that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps and illustrations can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore them. As a result, I guarantee my maps and art prints are a cut above the rest. I stand by my products and will always make sure you're 100% happy with what you receive.

Almost all of my maps and art prints look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.