This small map of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula shows part of Brazil as well. It was engraved by Girolamo Porro for a Venetian edition of the quarto edition of Ptolemy's Geography and is primarily based on Ortelius. The rivers of central and north Africa feature prominently including the Ptolemaic concept of the origin of the Nile in two lakes south of the Equator. The largest of these lakes also has a river flowing southeast. The sea is stipple engraved with a tiny sea monster and decorative calligraphy. Printed on a full sheet of Italian text (8.3 x 12.1").

References: Betz #34;Mickwitz & Miekkavaara #226 [52].

Condition: A

A nice impression on watermarked paper with just a hint of soiling.