Scarce Italian World Map Based on Ortelius

"Indiarum Orientalium Occidentaliumque Descriptio...", Maffei (Maffeius), Peter

This is a very scarce Italian map based on Ortelius' first world map. The strapwork title cartouche obscures the northern regions, making the huge southern continent appear even more prominent. Several place names are identified in the southern continent, including Terra del Fuego, Psitacorum Regio, Lucach and Beach. The bulge in the western coast of South America is retained, and North America is filled with spurious rivers and mountain ranges. The map is embellished with strapwork designs in the corners, with a ship and sea monsters in the oceans. Maffei's account of the Portuguese accomplishments throughout India and the Far East was first published in 1588. There were several later editions, but only those published in Cologne in 1589 and 1593 contain this world map.

References: Shirley #166.

Condition: A

A superb impression issued folding, now pressed, on watermarked paper. A couple of minor fold separations confined to the blank margins have been professionally repaired.