Old coloured map of Italy. Printed in Duisburg by Gerard Mercator in 1589.

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Reference 11498

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Description

True first edition of Mercator's map of Italy with beautiful old colour.

Early and important engraved map of Italy with Sardinia and Corsica. This is the real first edition, published in 1589 during the lifetime of Gerard Mercator. Decorated with a beautiful title cartouche, a galleon and a sea monster. Latin text and an old coloured woodcut vignette on verso. From Italiae, Sclavoniae et Graeciae tabulae geographicae published in Duisburg as a part of his famous Atlas which was completed by his son Rumold in 1595.

Details

CartographerGerard Mercator
TitleItalia
Publisher, YearGerard Mercator, Duisburg, 1589
Plate Size37.0 x 46.7 cm (14.6 x 18.4 inches)
Sheet Size38.8 x 52.2 cm (15.3 x 20.6 inches)

Condition

Some browning in margin. Otherwise an excellent copy of this rare first edition in old colours.

Cartographer

Gerard Mercator (Kremer) was born in Rupelmonde in Flanders and studied in Louvain. He drawn his first map in 1537 and became a cartographer and globe maker. In 1552 he moved to Duisburg, Germany where he published his famous 18-sheet world map in 1569 with his own new projection, today called Mercator projection. Later he decided to publish a new edition of Ptolemy's Geographia. Followed by his major work, a 3 volume collection of maps to which the word Atlas was applied the first time. The first volume was published 1585, followed by the second in 1589 and the third one after his death in 1595 by his son Rumold. A second edition of all three parts was published 1602. 1604 Jodocus Hondius acquired the plates and published several edition together with his sons Jodocus II and Henricus until 1633. More editions followed until 1666 by Janssonius who was in partnership with Henricus. Some of the plated where also used by W.J. Blaeu in 1630.

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Gerard Mercator: Italia.
Old coloured map of Italy. Printed in Duisburg by Gerard Mercator in 1589.

Italy - Mercator, Gerard - Italia

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