Catalog Archive
Auction 111, Lot 343

"Septentrionalium Partium Nova Tabula", Ruscelli, Girolamo

Subject: Arctic and Scandinavia

Period: 1564 (published)

Publication: La Geografia di Claudio…

Color: Black & White

Size:
9.5 x 7.3 inches
24.1 x 18.5 cm
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This is a reduced version the landmark Zeno map showing the mythical islands in the North Atlantic and small coastlines of Labrador (Estotiland) and possibly Newfoundland (Drogeo). The only cartographic difference between this and the woodcut map published by Zeno is that there is no land bridge between Greenland and Scandinavia. In 1558, Nicolo (the Younger) Zeno claimed to have discovered a 14th century manuscript recording a voyage made by his ancestors Nicolo and Antonio. According to the text, in the year 1380 a storm swept the Zenos into the North Atlantic where they found a group of unknown lands named Frisland, Estotiland, Icaria, and Drogeo. Frisland is depicted in considerable detail, with many place names indicated. As a result, maps throughout the 16th century continued to show these fictional islands, especially Frisland.

References: Burden #29; Ginsberg #19; Manasek #19.

Condition: B

Tissue repair on centerfold infilling a small worm track with slight loss of engraving on the mountains in Greenland.

Estimate: $550 - $600

Sold for: $300

Closed on 6/8/2005

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