Ortelius (Abraham

Africam Graeci Libyam App: Africae Tabula Nova. Edita Antverpiae 1570

Published: Antwerp, 1579

Stock Number: #10320

Price: R40,000

38cm x 51cm. The map of Africa was printed from one copper plate, engraved by Frans Hogenberg, from 1570 until 1641. This particular example of the map is rare: only 325 copies of the 1570 map were published in the same year: and this map was one of the third printing (125 copies): verso teext in on page 4, "last line centred like six lines above it; circle-shaped full stop after title: thus 1570 C, Van der Krogt 31:001).

This is a beautiful, rare example of a landmark map of Africa that appeared in the first Atlas: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. It was the cartographic creation of Abraham Ortelius, who produced the most expensive book published to 1570 - and it was very popular. The map is age toned and the paper somewhat brittle. A very good, rare copy.