Valais Switzerland Old woodcuts Leuker spring by Seb. Munster 1550
Early old woodcut in hand coloring, showing the Leuker spring in Valais Switzerland. The map is with old text.
Descriptions: Liber III page 347 & 348 The story of Leukerbad dates back to the 4th century B.C. Graves and ceramics attest the presence of habitation in Leukerbad. From the 5th century, the pass of the Gemmi, unique link between the cantons of Valais and Bern can be got over. A view of Leukerbad from the Gemmi Pass In 1229, Leukerbad is mentioned for the first time and called "Boez". French is the locally spoken language at that time. In 1315, the commune becomes independent and the oldest known document about Leukerbad already mentions the baths. In 1501, the Bishop and Cardinal Matthäus Schiner acquires the rights for the baths and speaks highly of the health resort during his visits; the thermal tourism develops and from that time, German is spoken locally. Between the 16th and 18th century, several major avalanches hit the village but the inhabitants rebuild it every time. In 1779 a famous guest stays in Leukerbad: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Other famous guests will stay in Leukerbad, like Guy de Maupassant or Mark Twain. "Leücker Bad Thermae Leucn." Chronist Sebastian Münster, (1488-1552) "Leücker Bad Thermae Leucn." warm springs, warm baths Page 348 Woodcut Animals.
Auteur: Sebastian Munster (1488-1552) is one of the most important and famous mapmakers of the mid-sixteenth century, and published two books, an edition of Ptolemy's Geographia, in 1540, with 48 double-page woodcut maps, and his Cosmographia, published in 1544, which contained upwards of five hundred woodcuts, including 24 double-page maps. The Cosmographia was published in 46 editions. In German between 1544 and 1628, in Latin between 1550 and 1559, in Italian in 1558 and in French in 1575.
Size app.: 12.5 x 8 inch – 32 x 20.5 cm Image app.: see leaf Condition: Good, wormholes outside text.
