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Lot #: 48673
This item is no longer available. Estimated value: $4600 - $7500.
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Africae vera forma et situs.
Africae vera forma et situs.

Africae vera forma et situs.

Maker / Publisher: DE JODE, G.
Place & Date: Antwerp, 1593
Colored: In attractive colors.
Size: 328 x 446 mm / 12.9 x 17.6 inches
Condition: Outer margins a bit brown spotted, but in very good condition. Very dark impression.
   

Estimated value: $4600 - $7500




H!BCoR*** help
GRADING Overall Rating: 125 points, 9 stars
Historical Historical Significance: Important ****
Beauty Beauty: Decorative *****
Condition Condition Rating: Very fine *****
Rarity Rarity: Very rare - Only several examples known. *****
This item has been graded according to our grading system. Read more 
  • Description
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Description
This very rare map of Africa retains the continental outline from Gastaldi with the interior based primarily on Mercator's world map of 1569. This is evident in the river systems, including Sachaf lac as the source of the Zabere (Zembere), Cuama and R. d S. Spirito rivers in southern Africa. The map shows the Kingdom of Monomotapa extending down to the Cape, the Cuamo, the Rio de Spirite and the Rio Infanta.
Ortelius is also a source: the placement of Zanzibar on the southwest coast.

Decorated with six sea monsters and four sailing ships decorating the sea and small vignettes of natives, some with bows and arrows, others with spears, are placed on and around the map.

A very rare item, with a wonderful imprint.

Only one atlas was published by the de Jode family: Speculum Orbis Terrarum issued by Gerard de Jode in 1578, and then re-issued by his son Cornelis in 1593 as Speculum Orbis Terrae. The atlas was not a financial success and no other editions were published.
Unfortunately Cornelis' atlas met the same fate as that of his father's atlas, with very few copies being sold. On the death of Cornelis, the copper plates were sold to Jan Baptist Vrients, the publisher of Ortelius' atlas, who acquired them merely to stop their re-issue. As a result the map is very rare. Latin text on verso.

The map of Africa published in the 1578 edition of the Speculum was a relatively spartan work based directly on the somewhat antiquated cartography of Giacomo Gastaldi. In sharp contrast, the 1593 Africa Vera Forma presents a far more current delineation of Africa based largely on Mercator’s mapping – and in some areas--on Ortelius’s as well. The map was improved to compete aesthetically as well: it is among the most beautifully engraved, early maps of the continent.



Reference: Norwich/Stone, Africa, map 19; Betz 27; Koeman, Dr. Ir. C., Atlantes Neerlandici, pp. 205-207; Sanderson, M. Atlases and Cartography, p. 106; Skelton, R.A., G. De Jode Speculum Orbis Terrarum (Introduction) pp. v-x; in Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Second Series of Atlases in Facsimile; Stone, J. Maps of Africa, p. 27




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Condition / Coloring
We indicate the condition of each item and use our unnique HiBCoR grading system in which four key items determine a map's value: Historical Importance, Beauty, Condition/Coloring and Rarity.
We offer many maps in their original black and white condition. We do not systematically color-up maps to make them more sellable to the general public or buyer.
Copper engraved or wood block maps are always hand colored. Maps were initially colored for aesthetic reasons and to improve readability. Nowadays, it is becoming a challenge to find maps in their original colors and are therefor more valuable.

We use the following color keys in our catalog:
Original colors; mean that the colors have been applied around the time the map was issued.
Colored; If the colors are applied recently or at the end of the 20th century, then "colored", or "attractive colors" will be used.
Original o/l colors; means the map has only the borders colored at the time of publication.
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Old map image download for Africae vera forma et situs.Old map image download for Africae vera forma et situs.
Africae vera forma et situs.

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The cancellation period will expire 14 calendar days from the day after the date on which you or a third party (other than the carrier and indicated by you) acquires, physical possession of the lot. To exercise the right to cancel you must inform Paulus Swaen Europe bv, which is offering to sell the lot either as an agent for the seller or as the owner of the lot, of your decision to cancel this contract by a clear statement (e.g. a letter sent by post, or e-mail (amsterdam@swaen.com).
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