Catalog Archive
Auction 131, Lot 50

"Ptolemaei Typus", Ptolemy/Magini

Subject: Ancient World

Period: 1597 (circa)

Publication: Geographicae Universae…

Color: Black & White

Size:
10 x 7 inches
25.4 x 17.8 cm
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Ptolemaic map following the classical format. The Indian Ocean is landlocked with a continuous coastline joining Africa to South East Asia. Toprobana, present day Sri Lanka, is a very large island in the Indian Ocean and the Indian sub-continent is completely missing, although the Ganges river is shown. The Mediterranean is well depicted, but greatly exaggerated in length. In Africa, the Nile is shown originating in mountains below the Equator. Finely engraved in the Italian style with a stippled sea by Girolamo Porro. The map is on a full sheet (8 x 11.5") of Italian text.

References: Shirley #193.

Condition: B+

There is a bit of light foxing. A repaired tear just touches the neatline in the bottom right corner and there are a couple of edge tears in the blank margins.

Estimate: $375 - $450

Sold for: $275

Closed on 3/17/2010

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