"Africae Tabula Nova", Ortelius, Abraham

This striking continental map was designed by Ortelius from elements of contemporary maps by Gastaldi, Mercator, and Forlani. It is considered a cornerstone map for African collections. The name Carneca appears for the first time, and Zanzibar is incorrectly shown on the west coast. The Nile is based on the Ptolemaic concept, originating from two large lakes south of the equator. The map is decorated with a strapwork title cartouche, a grand sea battle, and sea monsters. This is an early edition before 1602 as the 'ghost monster' noted by Van den Broecke is still very visible in the ocean off the coast of Arabia, the date of 1570 is still present, and there are no cracks evident in the title cartouche. Latin text on verso.

References: Van de Broecke #8; Norwich #10 :Tooley (AF) p. 88.

Condition: B

Near fine with lovely old color and a couple of spots on either side of the lower centerfold.