ORBIS TERRAE COMPENDIOSA DESCRIPTIO
NON-EXPORTABLE
Map maker: Ptolemy, Claudius
Map maker: Ruscelli,Girolamo
Map maker: Rosaccio, Giuseppe
Date: 1599
Short Title: Orbis Terrae Compendiosa Descriptio
Publisher: Appresso gli heredi di Melchior Sessa
Publisher Location: Venetia
Map size - Height:28.5 cm
Map size - Width: 51 cm
Paper size - Height: 44 cm
Paper size - Width: 53.5 cm
Full Title: Orbis terrae compendiosa descriptio quam ex Magna Universali Gerardi Mercatoris Domino Richardo Gartho, geographiae ac caeterarum bonarum artium amatori ac fautori summo, in veteris amicitiae ac familiaritatis memoriam / Rumoldus Mercator fieri curabat A. MDLXXXVII
An elaborate strapwork border surrounds this beautiful later hand coloured double-hemisphere map, and an armillary sphere and 32-point compass rose are tucked between the hemispheres. Engraved double hemispherical world map. The engraving is a model of clarity and neatness, with typical cursive flourishes to the lettering of the sea names. The North Pole is illustrated as a land mass surrounding a sea from which four rivers radiate, and there is a well depicted northwest passage. Shows a huge southern continent and the bulge in the south west coast of South America. Relief shown pictorially.
Attractive later hand coloured example of the Mercator's map of the World, first printed in Geneva in 1587.
This is the only collectible world map by Gerard Mercator, the greatest geographer of his era. Both his1538 and 1569 world maps are unobtainable rarities.
The present work is a reduced version of the 1569 wall map of the world, on which the revolutionary Mercator Projection was introduced. Oddly, this folio version recast the map into a double-hemisphere format and did not employ the Mercator Projection.
Gerhard Mercator died in 1594, the year before his first world atlas was published. It would be several decades before a world map on his Mercator's projection would appear in a commercial atlas. A fine example of one of the most important and influential world maps of the 16th Century.
This lot will be sold in "as is" condition.
There may be some minor tears/creases scratches, or holes commensurate with age that may not be visible in the images.
The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Storyltd shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.