Isle de Cipre

Rare and important early map of Cyprus, which first appeared in Badouin's Histoire des Chevaliers de l'Ordre de St. Iean de Hierusalem . . . . published in Paris in 1629.

This is the first French edition by Pierre de Boissat (1603-1662) and Jean Baudoin, the great history of the Order of Malta in three parts by Giacomo Bosio (1544-1627). It originally appeared in Italian, in Rome in 1621. Born in Chiavari to a noble Piedmontese family, Bosio was a brother of service of the Order of Malta. In 1587 he was appointed representative of the Order in Rome, where he composed his work on the history of the island of Malta, in the form of a manuscript.

This remarkable early map, engraved by Raignauld (or Raigniauld), provides a remarkably topographical and visual depiction of Cyprus during the period when the the Order of St. John was actively involved in the defense and preservation of the region and the assistance of pilgrims to the Holy Land. Among the more notable features, the Karpasia Cape (St. Andreas) is considerable shorten. A very interesting map which substantially exaggerates the size of Nicosia, Famagusta and Limassol, in order to illustrate plans of these towns and their fortifcations.

Beginning in about 1100 AD, during the first Crusade, the Order of St. John of Malta worked actively in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Holy Land to protect and preserve the safe passage of pilgrims to the region and safeguard the region from non-Christian invaders and occupiers. The island of Cyprus became one of the most important strongholds of the Order.

Copperplate, in fine condition.