Helvetia occidentalis - südwestlicher Teil (Bern, Oberland, Fryburg, Lemann, Wallis): 6-14. Inclitæ Bernatvm vrbis, cvm omni ditionis svæ agro et provinciis delineatio chorographica

A detailed 16th-century chorographic map of the Bernese territory, featuring hand-colored borders, topographical illustrations of towns, castles, and mountains, and decorative cartouches.

A decorative cartouche on the left contains the introductory text.

Greetings to all students of mathematics.
THOMAS SCHEPHVS, M.D.
In the description of this table, three things occur which, lest I be accused of the arrogance of others, or of ingratitude, error, or injustice, must be explained somewhat more diligently to the fair reader, or at least the basis of my truth must be declared. First, that the degrees, minutes, and 14 seconds in both the southern and northern margins are equal. The reason is that the entire latitude of this table produces almost no difference: for in the smaller German territories, the maximum difference is 15 minutes. After the equator, by degrees, minutes, and 14 seconds. The half-part of this difference having been subtracted from the upper margin number, and added to the number of the lower margin, a certain mean difference results, which is produced so that, to whoever has sense, some perception might be possible... 41 minutes and 55 seconds correspond to the great circles on the sphere, so that the proportion of longitude to latitude is that which 35 is to 24. Since this was most suitable for the writing of this table, unless the difference is so great that it generates an error which might be perceived by some sense, I decided to make the degrees and seconds the same in the upper and lower margins. Second, concerning latitude, regarding the elevation of the Pole... Third, in delineating the Valais, Savoy, and Burgundy, where they are adjacent to our territory, no one should require a description of these from me, as the boundaries are where Bern is adjacent to many lands. Lest anything be thought to have been neglected or done in ignorance, I have judged it for the best to admonish the reader... that he may regard my work with diligent and tireless labor...

A legend box titled "STAT" contains symbols for "Vogty" Bailiwick, "Schloß" Castle, "Cloſter" Monastery, "Parrochy" Parish, "Filial" Chapel of ease, "Dorf" Village, "Hof" Farmstead, "Zarſort" Hamlet, "Euangeliſh" Protestant, and "Catholiſh" Catholic.

A decorative cartouche on the bottom right contains the publication details.

In Bern of the Helvetians, [the engravers] carved the copper plates: Martin Krumm of Bern and Johannes Martin of Deventer, both painters. Aided by Adelberg Sauracker, citizen of Basel.
Printed under the care of Bernhard & Jobin. With Imperial Privilege in the year 1578.