Soria et Terra Santa Nuova Tavola

Nice example of Ruscelli's map of Holy Land and Cyprus, one of the earliest obtainable separately published maps of the region.

The map starts on the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia to the west of Cypress, includes Cypress and names its major cities and extends as far east as the mountains of western Iran and the city of Mosul in modern day Iraq, which here is named Mesopotamia. The Tigris and Euphrates rivers are both delineated and their point of confluence before they empty into the Persian Gulf, the Shatt al Arab, is clearly depicted. The countries of the Levant are all in place and denoted and their topography including mountain ranges and river systems shown in detail.  Many biblical cities are named, including those near the Dead Sea such as Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Map taken from Geographia di Claudio Tolomeo edited by Girolamo Ruscelli, published in Venice in several editions between 1561 and 1598. The maps is based on the Geografia by Giacomo Gastaldi (1548), who probably also personally drew these maps, which were engraved by the brothers Livio and Giulio Sanuto.

The peculiarity of these maps is that they are engraved two for plate and subsequently cut; this is why the copper sign only appears on three sides of the map. Ruscelli's text and his maps are considered to be the best modern atlas up to the first version of Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1570).

Only their widespread diffusion prevents a sustained evaluation in the antiquarian market. In fact, the work had a first edition in 1561, printed by Vincenzo Valgrisi who also edited the 1562 reprint. There are three editions signed by Giordano Ziletti (two in 1564 and one in 1574), while in 1597 it was published by the Calignani brothers. All these editions contain 64 plates. In 1598 and 1599 the two editions edited by Giuseppe Rosaccio and printed by the heirs of Melchior Sessa came to light. These last two editions include 69 plates; in fact, Rosaccio's map of the planisphere and continents has been added.

Etching and engraving with fine later hand colour, in good condition.