178. Ptolemaeus, Claudius: (World Map)

Róma, 1507/1508.
Rome, 1507/1508. Bernardinus Venetus de Vitalibus
Scarce, delicate, copper-engraved world map. First appeared on 10 October 1478, in the third printed – Roman – edition of Ptolemy’s “Cosmographia” edited by Arnold Buckinck. One of the essential works of Renaissance cartography. The cone projection representation was based on Nicolaus Germanus’ manuscripts. Konrad Sweynheim, the engraver, worked in Gutenberg’s workshop around 1460. In 1464, he founded the first printing house in Italy (in Subiaco) with Arnold Pannart. Sweynheim improved his engraving technique: punch lettering. Four editions (1478, 1490, 1507 and 1508) of the map are known from the same plate, which makes identification difficult. A full sheet of paper was used for printing, but they worked with two copperplates and joined the parts later. For this reason, there are plates with watermarks on both sides, but it is also possible that only one of them has it or they are not present at all. The exact publication date for our copy has not been established, as the watermark (crossed arrows) was used from 1490. However, based on Thomas Suarez’s research, it can be definitely stated that it is one of the third or fourth prints, edited by Bernardino Vitali. The map field illustrates the known Ptolemaic world. It stretches from the “Fortunatae insulae” (the name presumably covers the Azores or the Canary Islands) to China in the west-east direction, and the British Isles border it to the north and Ethiopia to the south. A striking oddity is the presentation of the Indian Ocean as an inland sea. Since there are 64 known pieces of Ruysch’s modern map (which were published together with the Ptolemaic world map) in the editions of Vitalibus, 16 of the same items can be found in public collections according to reference books. It can be assumed that a similar number of copies from this work as the former has survived, therefore, this page is also among the greatest rarities.
Dimensions: 405 × 580 mm. In well-preserved condition, showing a few light stains beyond the map border.
Shirley: 4.; Bifolco – Ronca: Appendice D 1.
 
Starting price: 5 500 000,-