The atlas, which used coordinates from Ptolemy's Cosmographia as the foundation for its charts, predates the discovery of America and features only three continents.
The book was printed in Bologna in 1477 by Dominicus de Lapis, using engravings by Taddeo Crivelli. It consists of 26 double-page, copper-engraved maps, and totals 61 leaves.
Dr David Goldthorpe, a specialist at Sotheby's, said there would have been around 500 copies of the atlas, but there are now only 21 surviving complete copies.
Have your say in the Printweek Poll
Related stories
500-year-old Dürer print auctioned
Renaissance master’s print rescued from tip bought for £33,000
Latest comments
"Gosh! That’s a huge debt - especially HMRC! It’s a shock that HMRC allowed such an amount to be accumulated."
"Whatever happened to the good old fashioned cash job! At least the banks didn't take 2-3% of each sale. After 30 odd transactions that £100 quid you had has gone."
"It's amazing what can be found on the "web" nowadays!"
Up next...
Replacement 'will be operational later this year'
Walstead makes decision on Bicester 64pp
'Ridiculous decision'
Unite “prepared to fight” on proposed DS Smith site closure
Also helps mitigate volatile energy prices
