Sign In

- Or use -
Forgot Password Create Account
This item has been sold, but you can enter your email address to be notified if another example becomes available.
Description

Nice example of Bordone's maps of the East Coast of America and the mythical island of Brasile and Asmaide, with a map of Scandinavia and the Baltic on the verso, one of the earliest obtainable printed maps of each of the regions.

The "American Map" includes several place names, including "Terra de lavoratore" (based upon the Voyages of João Fernandes of the Azores, who travelled to Cape Farewell in Greenland in 1500). The "Stretto pte. del modo novo" is in the approximate area of the Caribbean and probably represents the supposed strait between North America and South America which appeared on some world maps in this period. The Azores are named, as are the mythical islands of Brasile and Asmaide.

The "Scandinavia & Baltic Map" perpetuates the myth that Greenland was attached to Scandinavia. The map locates a number of recognizable place names, including Norbegia (Norway), Gottia (Gothia), Livonia, Datia (Denmark) , and Engronelant (Greenland).

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.