1598 Africae Tabula Nova
By: Abraham Ortelius
Date: 1570 / 1598 (published) Antwerp
Dimensions: 14.5 x 18 inches (36.83 x 45.72 cm)
This exceptional map of Africa was published by Abraham Ortellius in 1598. It was originally printed in 1570 in the first edition of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Western Europe's first modern atlas. The work was widely produced for over forty years, in seven different languages.
Ortelius’ map of Africa is based on Gastaldi's eight sheet wall map and Mercator's world map of 1569. Two notable geographic changes Ortelius made to the shape of Africa are a more pointed Cape of Good Hope and an eastern coastline that extends far less to the east than do many earlier maps of Africa. Ortelius was also the first to include sources to the information displayed in his map. Also, while many map makers tend to fill the African continent with vignettes of animals, often in an attempt to mask their geographical ignorance of the area, Ortelius leaves the African continent completely void of any such distraction.
The map however, is not completely void of ornamentation. A vignette in the lower right depicts a raging sea battle with ships' sails billowing and cannons firing, and a number of sea monsters are roaming the Atlantic off the western coast of Africa. The ornamental title cartouche is classical in design, with two armless statues of women and four lions’ heads incorporated in the strap work, all of which is further embellished with decorative scrollwork.
This example of Africae Tabula Nova comes out of the French edition of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The examples published in the late 16th century are identifiable by a vertical crack that developed in the title cartouche area of the copper plate.
Ref: Norwich, No. 10
Condition: This map is in A condition with a small centerfold separation that has been closed using archival materials on the verso. The map exhibits old color with some later touch-ups as well as some discoloration surrounding the map from prior matting.
Inventory #12078
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