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Description

Nice example of Bordone's map of the Azores (including the mythical island of Brazil) and the Spanish Coastline, including Cadiz.

The ficticious Atlantic islands of Brasil and Asmaide appear alongside the Azores, as they did on other maps of the period.

Brasil, also known as Hy-Brasil or several other variants, was a phantom island which was said to lie in the Atlantic Ocean west of Ireland. In Irish myths it was said to be cloaked in mist, except for one day every seven years, when it became visible but still could not be reached. It probably has similar roots to other mythical islands said to exist in the Atlantic, such as Atlantis, Saint Brendan's Island, and the Isle of Mam.

Benedetto Bordone (1460-1531) was a manuscript editor, miniaturist and cartographer, from Padua, in the Republic of Venice.

His most famous work is the Isolario ( The Book of Islands, "where we discuss about all islands of the world, with their ancient and modern names, histories, tales and way of living...") in which he describes all the islands of the known world with their folklore, myths, cultures, climates, situations and history. It is intended as an illustrated guide for sailors and attempts to include all the new transatlantic discoveries.

The present example is apparently the 1547 edition, which can be determined based upon the position of the text on the verso, according to Burden. The map is rare on the market.

Condition Description
Some shine through of text.
Reference
Burden, P.D. #8; Manasek, F.J. (Collecting) #7; Ginsberg, W.B. (Septentrionalium) #8.
Benedetto Bordone Biography

Benedetto Bordone (1460-1531) was a polymath who was born in Padua and worked in Venice. He was an illuminator, engraver, miniaturist, editor, and geographer. It is possible he made the first globe in Italy. His most famous work is the Isolario, or Book of Islands, which included many of the earliest printed maps of islands in the New World.