c 1586 - Porcacchi World Map ''...Mappa Mondo"

$875.00

M-13319: “DESCRITTIONE DEL MAPPAMONDO”   Venice: Tommaso Porcacchi, c. 1586.  Engraved map  with later hand-coloring. From L’Isole Piu Famose Del Mondo… (The most famous islands of the world).

Ref: Rodney Shirley, The Mapping of the World, #154. 

Sheet Size: 11.5 x 8.25 inches

Map Image: 4.25 x 5.75 inches

This detailed and decorative map on an oval projection depicts the “modern” world with many topographical features shown. Countries, cities, oceans and other waterways are named.

Based on the 1567 world map by Giovanni Francesco Camocio  - it shows an extensive mythical southern continent full of mountain ranges and several notes of “Terra Incognita” (land unknown).

North America is separated from Asia by a narrow strait with Giapan (Japan) located just south of this strait. Beneath the map, and continuing on the verso, is Italian text, which provides additional detail pertaining to the image.   

This example is from a very rare edition with the shading under Terra Incognita composed of horizontal lines instead of the short vertical strokes in the earlier plate.

An attractive and unusual map, more than 435 years old, in excellent condition. 

  • Inventory# M-13319