Catalog Archive
Auction 89, Lot 254

"Carta Particolare della Barberia Occidentale che comincia con il capo Gruer e Finisce con il capo Matas",

Subject: Northwestern Africa

Period: 1661 (published)

Publication: Arcano del Mare

Color: Black & White

Size:
29 x 19 inches
73.7 x 48.3 cm
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Robert Dudley was the first Englishman to produce a sea atlas, the Arcano del Mare (Secrets of the Sea). The atlas was only issued in two editions and it's maps are rarely seen on the market. This beautiful example is crisply engraved in the sparse Florentine style with superb calligraphy throughout. The map covers from the coast of present day southern Morocco and Western Sahara and extends to include the Canary Islands. The title cartouche is enclosed by two sea creatures and the map is further decorated with a very fine compass rose and a sailing ship. Two folio sheets are joined to make up this large map. A bit of tape stain on paper edges and a couple of small tears in margins, well away from the image.

References:

Condition: A

Estimate: $750 - $850

Sold for: $650

Closed on 12/8/1999

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