This early map of Syria, the Holy Land and Cyprus is an enlarged version of Gastaldi's important map of the same title. Girolamo Ruscelli, the editor, and Valgrisi, the publisher, improved on Gastaldi's map by following the revisions made by Gastaldi in the Holy Land area of his eight-sheet map of Asia that was published in 1561. The coastline, Jordan Valley and inland seas are much improved from earlier maps, but there are still a number of errors; Mount Lebanon (Monte Libano) is shown well east of Damascus, Jerusalem is too close to the coast, Beirut (Baruto) is too far inland, and some rivers are overstated. Still it is a remarkable presentation of the region for the time period. Engraved in the Italian style with a stippled sea and mountains distinguishing the interior. Italian text on verso.

References: Mickwitz & Miekkavaara (Nordenskiold) #217-46; cf Laor #621; cf Nebenzahl, plt. 27.

Condition: A

Dark impression with some printer's ink residue and a few minute centerfold separations at top that have been professionally repaired on verso.