Catalog Archive
Auction 118, Lot 881

"Presbiteri Iohannis sive Abissinorum Imperium", Ortelius/Coignet

Subject: Africa - Central

Period: 1601 (circa)

Publication: Epitome Theatri Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
4.7 x 3.3 inches
11.9 x 8.4 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Delicately engraved miniature map showing the domain of the legendary Christian king, Prester John. The map shows the source of the Nile to be the Ptolemaic twin lakes near the bottom of the map. It was engraved by the brothers Ambrose and Ferdinand Arsenius who had been assistants to Frans Hogenburg and co-engravers of Ortelius' folio Theatrum. This series of maps was accompanied by text by Michel Coignet and was published by Jan B. Vrients. Italian text on verso.

References: King (1st) pp. 74-75.

Condition: A

Marginal foxing, else fine.

Estimate: $150 - $200

Sold for: $110

Closed on 3/6/2007

Archived