"Cypri Insulae Nova Descript", Ortelius, Abraham

This bold map of Cyprus is based on Giacomo Franco's map circa 1570. It is embellished with three sailing ships, a sea monster and three elaborate strapwork cartouches, one of which encloses an inset map of the Greek island of Lemnos. The map of Lemnos was drawn directly by Ortelius from a written account by the French naturalist and traveler, Pierre Belon (1553). Engraved by Jan van Deutecum. This is the first state, with Latin text on verso, published in 1584.

References: Van den Broecke #149.1; Stylianou, pp. 60-62.

Condition: B+

Lovely old color on watermarked paper with a couple of small spots and minor soiling. There are professional repairs to two small holes along centerfold (one adjacent to ship and one in top blank margin) and to a chip in bottom blank margin that enters 1/2" into image, with a small amount of image in facsimile.