Ragionevole Forma et Vera Postura del' Isola di Malta

Instead of the title this map shows the island of RODI.

Nice miniature map of the island, taken from Dialoghi Notturni del Capitano Francesco Ferretti Cavaglier di S. Stefano published in Ancona in 1604.

It's the second edition of the rare “Isolario” by Ferretti, that provides scientific knowledge and military, as well as geography and mathematics. The geographical part is the main body of the work, with 28 maps depicting the main islands in the Mediterranean represented with the unusual circular shape, finely carved by Michelangelo Marelli. The maps derive from those engraved by Girolamo Porro for the L’isole Piu Famose Del Mondo Descritte Da Thomaso Porcacchi Da Castiglione, published for the first time in 1572. Each map is enclosed within an ornamental frame, and shows the lines of the winds.

The title, enclosed at the top, is very large and is expressed by the formula Ragionevol’ Forma et vera postura del’ Isola di, followed by the name of the island; the maps are small but very accurate. The work of Ferretti was reprinted in 1608 with the title Arte Militare.

Literature

Mortimer 184; Olschki 4539; Cockle 548; Shirley T.FRR-1a. - Nordenskiold Collection I, p.156 no.73; Dufour/La Gumina, p. 85; Ganado 1985 S. 231; Stylianou 81, Navari 33; Zacharakis/Scutari 1499/1003-1518/1022; King, Miniature Antique Maps, pp. 62/3.