Catalog Archive
Auction 145, Lot 354

"[Untitled - Hispaniola]", Bordone, Benedetto

Subject: Hispaniola

Period: 1528 (circa)

Publication: Isolario de Benedetto Bordone…

Color: Black & White

Size:
5.8 x 3.4 inches
14.7 x 8.6 cm
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A lovely and simple woodcut map of Hispaniola, here named as Spagnola with general topography and towns noted. Isabella, which was founded by Columbus on his second voyage to the New World, is prominently depicted. Bordone's Isolario was one of the earliest and most important works of its time. It is remarkable for being the first atlas covering the entire world not based on classical geography, but rather on contemporary information. Bordone was an illuminator and wood-engraver working in Venice, when he was given permission by the Senate to print maps of Italy and the world. None of those maps have survived and his only remaining works are the maps from the Isolario (Island Book). On a full sheet of Italian text (8.0 x 11.6").

References: King (2nd Ed.) pp. 48-49.

Condition: A

A nice example on watermarked paper with light foxing primarily confined to blank margins and a short worm track in right blank margin.

Estimate: $350 - $450

Sold for: $180

Closed on 6/12/2013

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