Current Auction
Lot 2
Current Auction

Rare First Edition, First State Map Showing How Noah's Sons Repopulated the World

"Benedict. Arias Montanus Sacrae Geographiae Tabulam ex Antiquissimorum Cultor...", Arias Montanus, Benito

Subject: World

Period: 1571 (dated)

Publication: Biblia Sacra, Hebraice, Chaldaice, Graece & Latine

Color: Black & White

Size:
20.8 x 12.4 inches
52.8 x 31.5 cm
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This striking double-hemisphere world map is from Montanus' Polyglot Bible map of 1571/72, published by Christophe Plantin in the eight-volume Biblia Regia in Antwerp. At the time, the predominantly Protestant Netherlands was under the rule of Spain’s Catholic King Philip II. In an effort to counteract rumors that Plantin harbored Calvinist instincts, Plantin dedicated the work in advance to King Philip II. After agreeing to the commission, Philip II appointed Benito Arias Montanus to oversee the work.

Principally showing how Noah's three sons repopulated the world, the map features some very interesting cartography based on Gastaldi - with North America and Asia linked by a prominent land bridge. One of the interesting features on the map is a large island in the approximate position of Australia. Although some argue that this is the earliest depiction of Australia, Shirley postulates that it may simply represent "the engraver's license." The map is surrounded by strapwork cartouches containing text in both Hebrew and Latin, and is adorned with windheads, sailing ships, and sea monsters.

This is the rare first edition, of which numerous copies "were lost at sea on route for Spain," according to Shirley. This edition is easily distinguished by the the moiré pattern in the seas, the distinctive ships and sea monsters, and windheads with their eyes open. This example is the first state, prior to the word "gentes" being added in the lower left cartouche circa 1584. On verso is printed "Orbis Tabula. Ben. Aria Montano. Auctore." This map was re-engraved nearly a century later with numerous changes for Critici Sacri, sive doctissimorum virorum in SS. Biblia annotationes & tractatus, a major compilation of biblical scholarship published in London, with various editions appearing between 1660 and 1690.

References: Manasek #24; Shirley #125; Wagner (NW Coast of America) #86.

Condition: A

A dark impression on a bright, watermarked sheet with a printer's crease to the left of the centerfold and several tiny worm holes that have been expertly infilled with a minute amount of the image replaced in facsimile. There are some spots of foxing that are mostly confined to the blank margins. The paper has been professionally de-acidified and buffered to preserve and prolong its life in accordance with the recommended practices of the Institute of Conservation.

Estimate: $7,000 - $8,500

Current High Bid:
$0

Reserve: Reserve Not Met
Next Bid: $3,500

Bid Increments
$2,500 - $4,999$250
$5,000 - $9,999$500
$10,000 - $24,999$1,000
$25,000 - $49,999$2,500
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