Orbis Descriptio

Remarkably accurate Ruscelli map of the world, the first known double hemisphere world map to appear in an atlas. Ruscelli based his work on the earlier work of Giacomo Gastaldi’s world map of 1548, his oval world projection, and presented it on Roger Bacon’s circular projection, also used by Tramezzino's large world map of 1554.

The continents are remarkably accurately depicted for the time. Aside from Antarctica, all the continents are present, even though North America is presented as an extension of Asia, or vice versa. California is shown as a long peninsula rather than an island, the east coast of North America is quite accurately depicted, as are the Gulf of Mexico, Mexico and Central America. The east coast of South America shows the apocryphal bulge which would remain part of its depiction for some time. The Straits of Magellan are nicely depicted. The eastern hemisphere is quite accurately drawn with Asia including the northwestern portion of North America, marked Terra Incognita and distinctly shown as a land bridge linking Asia and North America, with its coastline labeled Littus incognitum. 

Etching with engraving, about 1561. Magnificent proof, printed on contemporary laid paper, with margins, in perfect condition. Example in wonderful contemporary coloring.

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.

Girolamo Ruscelli è stato un umanista, editore e cartografo italiano attivo a Venezia nei primi anni del XVI secolo. Nato a Viterbo, Ruscelli visse ad Aquileia, Padova, Roma e Napoli prima di trasferirsi a Venezia, dove trascorse gran parte della sua vita. Dal punto di vista cartografico, Ruscelli è noto soprattutto per la sua importante revisione della Geographia di Tolomeo, pubblicata nel 1561. Basandosi sull'ampliamento dell’opera Tolomeo di Giacomo Gastaldi del 1548, Ruscelli aggiunse circa 37 nuove carte “tolemaiche” alla sua traduzione italiana della Geographia.

Example of Ruscelli’s maps in contemporary coloring are absolutely rare.

Bibliografia 

R. W. Shirley, "The Mapping of the world", n. 110.