Catalog Archive
Auction 94, Lot 397

"[Island off Eastern Africa]", Bordone, Benedetto

Subject: Africa - Islands

Period: 1528 (published)

Publication: Isolario

Color: Black & White

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Extremely early and rare leaf from the first edition. There are three small maps (each approx. 3 x 5.5") on the leaf of Italian text, two on verso and one on recto. Each depicts islands on the east coast of Africa, including Zanzibar and Madegascar. Bordone was an 'illuminator' and wood-engraver, working in Venice, when he was given permission by the Senate to print maps of Italy and the world. None of these maps have survived and his remaining work is the maps from the "Island Book", which include many islands in the Orient and the New World.

References:

Condition: A

Stain and worm hole in margin, none affecting text or maps.

Estimate: $200 - $250

Sold for: $160

Closed on 3/7/2001

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