Catalog Archive
Auction 122, Lot 755

"Ins. Ceilan quae incolis Tenarisin dicitur", Hondius/Jansson

Subject: Sri Lanka

Period: 1640 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19.5 x 13.5 inches
49.5 x 34.3 cm
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Early map of Sri Lanka shown with an unusual five sided shape. North is oriented to the left by an especially elaborate compass rose. The map is exquisitely engraved with pictorial detail of mountains, roads, forests, villages, kingdoms, mines, stupas and spice plantations. It is embellished with three baroque cartouches. Above the title perch a trio of cats, with rabbits and lizards below. A number of finely wrought ships sail the seas and animals roam the interior (including a large elephant with his manhout). This is similar to the earlier and more common Mercator edition, but without the strapwork cartouches, and with the elephant facing right rather than left.

References:

Condition: B+

An excellent impression on a sheet with paper added in the blank margins to the upper corners and some tissue reinforcements on the verso, all well away from the map. The map has some toning on the centerfold and a few minor spots.

Estimate: $650 - $800

Unsold

Closed on 12/5/2007

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