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an old map of the island of cyprus with a compass on itan old map of the country of england with the names of its townsan old map of the island of cyprus with a picture of a ship in the backgroundan old map of a country with a crown on top of itan old map of the island of cyprus with a seal on it
KÂ- MONDO / KAPANDJI MORHANGE

87 - [CYPRUS]. ORTELIUS, Abraham. *Cypri Insulae Nova Descript.
See original version (French)

Estimate €300 - €400
Sale commission
Description
[CYPRUS]. ORTELIUS, Abraham. *Cypri Insulae Nova Descript.* 1573. A colour map of the islands of Cyprus and Lemnos from Abraham Ortelius’s famous atlas published in 1573, partly based on Giacomo Franco’s extremely rare map of Cyprus. No place [Antwerp], publisher unknown, undated [1573]. Copperplate engraving (35 x 49 cm) hand-coloured, mounted on 19th-century heavy paper (55 x 77.5 cm). Small tears at the margins of the paper, a few foxing spots on the paper, and a central crease affecting the map. This rare 16th-century coloured map of the islands of Cyprus and Lemnos is taken from the *Terra Orbis Theatrum* by Abraham Ortelius (1527–1588), considered to be the first modern geographical treatise. Engraved by Joannes van Doetecum, known as ‘the Elder’ (1530–1605), it is based on the extremely rare map (only three copies are known to exist) of the island of Cyprus by the young Venetian Giacomo Franco (1550–1620). Abraham Ortelius added the cartouche of the island of Lemnos, based on the observations of the Frenchman Pierre Bellon (1517–1564) made during his naturalist expedition to the Levant between 1546 and 1549. It is therefore the oldest available version of Giacomo Franco’s map, predating it by just three years. Although our copy has been mounted onto later paper (19th century), it is genuinely of the period and in very good condition. It also features ships and a menacing sea monster. A truly beautiful 16th-century piece, whose history is sure to impress your guests.
See original version (French)
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About the sale Sale of collectable books and first editions – Varia III –
Auction location
Auction time 09/14/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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