This is a rare map of Sicily extending to include the Aeolian islands and Goza. The dramatic cartouche references the earthquake and tsunami of January 1693, showing the earth swallowing buildings while putti and allegorical figures grieve. This earthquake was a disastrous event affecting eastern Sicily and southern Italy, where it claimed more than 60,000 lives and the total destruction of several villages and towns in the districts of Siracusa, Ragusa and Catania. The earthquake was followed by a 5-10 meter tsunami that struck the Ionian coasts of Sicily and the Messina Strait. A list in the lower right corner names 66 towns and villages that were destroyed by the twin catastrophes. The map was engraved by Johann Baptist Homann with his imprint at lower left. David Funcke employed the young Homann as an engraver prior to the establishment of the Homann publishing empire. His maps are rarely offered on the market; this one not appearing in any price records.

References:

Condition: B

Original color on a sheet with tears and stains in the margins, some in the bottom entering the border, with numerous old paper repairs in the margins. There is a large worm track in the lower left border that has been repaired on the verso with paper. The bottom margin is very narrow, nearly shaving neatline in the corners.