Catalog Archive
Auction 162, Lot 546

Rare English Edition of Ortelius' Map of Russia with a Vignette of Ivan the Terrible

"Russiae, Moscoviae et Tartariae Descriptio. Auctore Antonio Ienkensono Anglo...", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Russia, Eastern Europe & Central Asia

Period: 1606 (published)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.4 x 13.9 inches
44.2 x 35.3 cm
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Fascinating map of Russia and the former Soviet republics from the surveys of the English merchant and adventurer, Anthony Jenkinson, in 1562. Jenkinson was leader of the Muscovy Company's first expedition to Russia and the first European to travel widely throughout the region. Ortelius' map replicates much of the detail and decoration found on the original Jenkinson map complete with extensive notations, illustrations of Cossacks, camels, encampments, armies, and a curious burial scene where the dead are hung from trees. A vignette of Ivan the Terrible appears at top left. This example was included in the only English edition of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, published in 1606, with English text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #162.

Condition: B+

A dark impression on watermarked paper with light soiling and printer's ink residue. There are some extraneous creases along the centerfold with a couple of 1" separations along the creases at bottom that have been archivally repaired. There are additional archival repairs to some tears and chips in the bottom corners of the sheet, well away from the image.

Estimate: $2,000 - $2,300

Sold for: $1,200

Closed on 4/26/2017

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