Ortelius' important map of Southeast Asia shows how sketchy the available information was concerning the region. The East Indies are presented as a randomly scattered archipelago with Java and Borneo particularly misshapen. Taiwan is mapped for the first time as the I. Fermosa in the 'tail' of kite-shaped Japan's Lequaio islands. The fictitious Chyamai lacus is the source of a network of rivers in Southeast Asia. Beach pars, a presumed promontory of the great southern continent based on Marco Polo's account, protrudes into the bottom of the map. In the upper right corner, America makes an appearance with the three costal cities of Quivira, Cicuie, and Tiguex. Near the coast lies a ship being menaced by a pair of sea monsters, while twin mermaids preen before each other. Italian text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #166; Suarez, pp 164-69.

Condition: A

There is a professionally repaired tear at upper right and paper restoration in the blank margins, including a tiny bit of facsimile of the lower left neatline. The restoration was done with the leaf-casting method and is completely seamless.