Catalog Archive
Auction 141, Lot 709

"Tartariae sive Magni Chami Regni Tipus", Ortelius/Marchetti

Subject: North Pacific, Northern Asia and Northwestern North America

Period: 1598 (published)

Publication: Theatro del Mondo

Color: Black & White

Size:
4 x 2.8 inches
10.2 x 7.1 cm
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While designed to illustrate the expansive kingdom of the Great Khan in Asia, this tiny map's main feature is the Stretto di Anian separating Asia and North America based on the theory of Giacomo Gastaldi. Near the southern entrance to this straight is a large and strangely shaped Japan with a notation concerning the writings of Marco Polo. In North America, the Sierra Nevadas are named in California, as are five of the mythical cities of Cibola. Pietro Maria Marchetti produced the second pocket atlas based on Abraham Ortelius' folio Theatrum. It is often referred to as the plagiarized version of the Epitome. The copper plates are closely copied from those of Philip Galle's 1593 Italian edition. On a full sheet (6 x 8.3") of Italian text below map and on verso.

References: Burden #128; King (2nd ed.) pp. 78-79.

Condition: A

On watermarked paper with show-through of text on verso and marginal soilng.

Estimate: $140 - $170

Sold for: $325

Closed on 9/5/2012

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