Catalog Archive
Auction 93, Lot 202

"Tavola secondo Tolomeo [verso] Tavola secondo Moderni", Bordone, Benedetto

Subject: Britain

Period: 1528-47 (published)

Publication: Isolario

Color: Black & White

Size:
6 x 9 inches
15.2 x 22.9 cm
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Extremely early and rare woodblock map. Bordone was an 'illuminator' and wood-engraver, working in Venice, when he was given permission by the Senate to print maps of Italy and the world. None of those maps have survived and his remaining work are the maps from the "Island Book", which include islands throughout the world. This map shows England, Wales and Scotland (with a bit of Ireland) and the coast of Normandy according to Ptolemy. Scotland is shown with a large bulge in the northeast. On the verso is the "modern" map of the same region, which does not include the northern part of Scotland. The Ptolemaic map covers the entire sheet, while the "modern" map has text above and measures 5.5 x 5.2".

References:

Condition: A

Very sharp impression. Light damp stains in margin, with just a bit affecting maps. A few small worm tracks have been infilled in unprinted areas. Overall a very good example of this rarely seen map.

Estimate: $550 - $600

Sold for: $650

Closed on 12/6/2000

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