Catalog Archive
Auction 112, Lot 709

"Carte de l'Abissinie", Aa, Pieter van der

Subject: Central Africa

Period: 1714 (published)

Publication: Atlas Soulage

Color: Hand Color

Size:
7.5 x 5.2 inches
19.1 x 13.2 cm
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Charming rare map of central Africa depicting the kingdom of the fabled Christian king Prester John, with his fortified kingdom shown atop a mountain (Amara mons). The Nile River emanates from two large lakes near the Lunae Montes. This map is from a revised copper plate originally engraved by Pieter van den Keere and published in the 1628 edition of the Mercator Atlas Minor published by Jansson. For the Atlas Soulage the title and scale were translated into French, the cartouche revised and a compass rose added in the sea. The atlas was only issued once and there is only one known complete copy extant, in the University Library of Leiden.

References:

Condition: B

Some printer's ink residue and smudges, else very good.

Estimate: $275 - $350

Sold for: $300

Closed on 9/28/2005

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