Superb, Decorative Map of Cyprus

"Cypri Insulae Nova Descript.", Ortelius, Abraham

This bold map of Cyprus is based on Giacomo Franco's map circa 1570. It is embellished with three sailing ships, a sea monster and three elaborate strapwork cartouches, one of which encloses an inset map of the Greek island of Lemnos. The map of Lemnos was drawn directly by Ortelius from a written account by the French naturalist and traveler, Pierre Belon (1553). Engraved by Jan van Deutecum. This is the first state, with German text on verso, published in 1573, which was the first year that this map appeared.

References: Van den Broecke #149.3; Stylianou, pp. 60-62.

Condition: B+

A sharp, early impression with full contemporary color on a watermarked sheet with minor soiling, light toning along the centerfold, and archival repairs to a chip at bottom center.