De Jode's Rare Map of the Middle East

"Primae Partis Asiae Acurata Delineatio Habens Nomina Antiqua et Recentia Continens...", Jode, Gerard de

This handsome map of the Middle East is filled with detail, and extends from the Black Sea and the western Mediterranean in the west, to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east. The map is based on the work of Giacomo Gastaldi, who is credited in the title. The Caspian Sea is depicted extending from east to west, with a compass rose at the center. The map was engraved by Lucas & Jan van Doeticum circa 1566 and was first published in 1578 in De Jode's Speculum Orbis Terrarum, with only one subsequent edition published in 1593 by his son Cornelis. Latin text on verso.

Cornelis de Jode (1568-1600) was the son of the mapmaker and publisher Gerard de Jode. The elder published several important maps including Ortelius' famous 8-sheet map of the world in 1564. His major atlas, Speculum Orbis Terrarum was a commercial failure because his rival, Abraham Ortelius, was able to obtain a monopoly for eight years at the same time De Jode was preparing the publication. After Gerard's death, his widow and son enlarged the atlas and re-issue it in 1593. On the death of Cornelis, the copper plates were sold to J. B. Vrients, who acquired them merely to stop their re-issue, as he had also acquired the Ortelius plates. De Jode maps are rarely offered on the market.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) T.JOD-1c; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #8200:32.

Condition: A

A dark impression on watermarked paper with several printer's creases at top left, a tiny hole near center of map, and a hint of toning along the centerfold. There are remnants of archival tape in bottom blank margin.