Polonia et Hungaria Nuova Tavola

Ruscelli map based on the work of Ptolemy. Covers all or parts of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Rumania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Silesia, Moldavia, Walachia and the northwestern tip of Anatolia, including Constantinople. Much of western Russia and a portion of Ukraine which is drained by the Dnepr River system are depicted. Many regions of this territory were at least under Ottoman suzerainty if not complete dominion of the Ottoman Empire under Suleiman the Great at the time the map was published, and for some time thereafter.

The region is bounded by the Black Sea and western Russia in the east and the vast Danube River system in its southern reaches. The northern reaches include the Russian city of Smolensk, Vilnius in Lithuania, and Strasburg in what was then Prussia. The Transylvanian Alps are shown in great detail, various tree species are represented in forested areas and large lakes and river systems are presented in detail. Major cities and regions are denoted and named.

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, fine later hand colour, in good condition.