MINIATURE MAPS OF INDIA, C 1598 - C 1618

NON-EXPORTABLE

THE FINEST SET OF MINIATURE MAPS EVER PRINTED

Petrus Bertius (1565- Paris,1629) , Dutch cartographer and engraver.
Also known Pieter or Peter Bertius of Flemish birth he was educated at Leiden University and was a theologian, historian and mathematician of some standing, but is remembered chiefly for his cartographic works.
His brothers in law Joducus Hondius and Pieter Van Den Keere were also highly successful cartographers and engraved many of the maps forthe Tabularum Geographicum Contractarum. These maps are beautiful miniatures and the 1616 edition published by J. Hondius Junior has been called "the finest set of miniature maps ever printed."

The origins of the miniature pocket atlas lie inBarent Langenes Caert Thresoor of 1598. A large number of the 169 maps were engraved by Petrus Kaerius (Van Den Keere). This small but attractive atlas was sold for the first time in 1599 by Cornelis Claesz in Amsterdam. In 1600, Claesz published theatlas with a Latin text composed by Petrus Bertius; from then on, new editions, often enlarged with new maps, regularly appeared. Petrus Bertius was born at Beveren, Flanders, in November 1565. As a refugee, Bertius settled in Amsterdam and, after finishing his studies, he became a professor of mathematics and librarian at the University of Leiden. In 1618 he also became cosmographer and historiographer to Louis XIII of France, and lived in Paris, where he died in October 1629. His fame among geographers was established by his text in the pocket atlas Tabularum Geographicarum.

a)

BENGALA

by Petrus Bertius (1565- Paris,1629)

Published Amsterdam 1618 in "Tabularum Geographicarum Contractarum Libri Septem."
.br.An original early 17th century copper engraved miniature antique map of the Bay of Bengal covering present day Burma or Myanmar, Bangladesh and parts of North East India around the Ganges Delta.

The title is displayed in a strapwork cartouchewith the further title of Bengala in the upper margin.

A crisp dark impression on robust hand laid paper with Latin text to verso. A handsome map enhanced with expertly crafted later hand colouring.

Fine unmarked condition, free of repairs or restoration. It would be difficult to find a better example of this scarce and desirable map.

Approx. 3.5" x 5" (85mm x 120mm) map area only, with full margins beyond.


b)

MALABAR

by Petrus Bertius (1565- Paris,1629)

An original early 17th century copper engraved miniature antique map of the coast of Malabar, the coast goes from Goa to Cape Comorin.

The title is displayed in a strapwork cartouche with the further title of Descriptio ReginiMalabar in the upper margin.

A crisp dark impression on robust hand laid paper with Latin text to verso. A handsome map enhanced with expertly crafted later hand colouring.

Fine unmarked condition, free of repairs or restoration. Itwould be difficult to find a better example of this scarce and desirable map.

Approx. 3.5" x 5" (85mm x 120mm) map area only, with full margins beyond.

c)

CAMBAIA

by Petrus Bertius (1565- Paris,1629)

An original early 17th century copper engraved miniature antique map of the northern India with Gujarat and the Indus river, bordering Pakistan. Indicates major towns represented by symbols, major rivers and mountains.

The title "Cambaia" is displayed in astrapwork cartouche with the further title of "Descriptio Cambaiae" in the upper margin.

A crisp dark impression on robust hand laid paper with Latin text to verso. A handsome map enhanced with expertly crafted later hand colouring.

Fine unmarked condition, free of repairs or restoration. It would be difficult to find a better example of this scarce and desirable map.

Approx. 3.5" x 5" (85 mm x 120 mm) map area only, with full margins beyond.