“DESCRITTIONE DEL MAPPAMONDO” Venice: Tommaso Porcacchi, c. 1586. Engraved map with later hand-coloring. From L’Isole Piu Famose Del Mondo… (The most famous islands of the world). (Ref: Shirley #154). (Map Image: 4 ¼ x 5 ¾’’)
This detailed and decorative map depicts the world with many topographical features shown. Countries, cities, oceans and other waterways are named.
Based on the 1567 world map by Giovanni Francesco Camocio it shows an extensive mythical southern continent full of mountain ranges and several notes of “Terra Incognita” (land unknown).
North America is separated from Asia by a narrow straight with Giapan (Japan) located just south of this straight. Beneath the map, and continuing verso, is Italian text, which provides additional detail pertaining to the image.
This is from a very rare edition with the shading under Terra Incognita composed of horizontal lines instead of the short vertical strokes in the earlier plate.
Presented in an archival 16x12'' mat
