"Turcici Imperii Imago", Hondius, Jodocus

A portrait of Sultan Mehmed II, who conquered Constantinople and brought an end to the Byzantine Empire, tops the title cartouche for this handsome map of the Ottoman Empire. The map extends from the Balkan peninsula through the Caspian Sea in the north and from Northern Africa through the Arabian peninsula in the south. The regions are divided in a similar manner to Ortelius' map of the area. The coastlines of the Red Sea are exaggerated, as are the number and size of the islands. The Red Sea is given four different names: Marre de Mecca, Bohar Corsum, Mare Rubrum and Sinus Arabicus. French text on verso.

References: Ankary #36; Tibbetts #62; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #8100:1A.

Condition: A

A sharp impression on a sheet with a medallion watermark and marginal toning. There are archival repairs to a small hole along the centerfold near the bottom and to a few short edge tears.