A scarce early map of the Balkans from one of the rarest atlases ever published

Description

This elegant, detailed 1593 map of Southeastern Europe is from the Speculum orbis terrae, the second edition of Gerard and Cornelis de Jode’s atlas first published in 1578 in Antwerp, then as Speculum orbis terrarum. It focuses on the lower Danube River and the regions surrounding it.

The map stretches from today’s Romania and Moldova in the north to northern Greece and the Aegean in the south, and from Serbia, Albania, and the Adriatic in the west to the Black Sea and the western end of Asia Minor in the east. Major historical regions shown include Transylvania (Transilvania), Wallachia (Wallachia Superior and Infe.[rior]), Moesia (Mysia Superior and Inferior), Serbia (Servia Superior and Inferior), Bulgaria, Dardania (Dardanii), Macedonia, Thrace (Thracia), and Romania.

Various topographic features such as relief, vegetation, towns, and cities are depicted pictorially. Prominent mountains shown include the Carpathian Mountains (Sarmatici Montes and Dacia Alpes), the Balkan Mountains (Thracia montes), and the Rhodope Mountains (Rodope mons.). Significant cities are distinguishable as well, including Alba Iulia, Timișoara (Temeijwar), Belgrade (Belgradum), Bucharest (Buchnrecz), Skopje (Scupia), Sofia (Sophia), Veliko Tarnovo (Ternowe), Varna, Plovdiv (Philipolis), Edirne (Eddrenede Adrianopolis), and Istanbul (Constantinopolis nunc Stampoli).

The rivers and seas are stippled, with a sailing ship, possibly a caravel, and a sea monster adorning the Black Sea. A compass rose is placed there as well.

The Speculum is rare primarily due to its limited publication because of likely deliberate suppression. Although considered cartographically superior, the atlas struggled commercially because Gerard de Jode’s competitor Abraham Ortelius held an eight-year publishing monopoly, delaying its initial release until 1578, with the second edition published by Gerard’s son Cornelis in 1593, following his father’s death in 1591. After Cornelis’ death in 1600, the atlas plates were sold to publisher Joan Baptista Vrients – who had also acquired Ortelius’ plates – and were never used again. Vrients likely bought them solely to eliminate competition, favouring Ortelius’ plates instead and ensuring no further editions of De Jode material were printed. As a result, few copies survive, making the atlas exceptionally scarce today.

Engraved by Joannes and Lucas van Doetecum.

Latin text on verso.

A rare and meticulously crafted map showing the Balkan Peninsula at the end of the 16^th century.

Publication

Speculum orbis terrae [1593]

Condition

Very good.

A sharp impression on a clean sheet, issued folding. Minor toning and light creasing along centrefold. Minor chip at bottom left edge of sheet. On verso, minor professional repair to small split in centrefold, at upper centre.

Item #: 03034

US $2,000.00

other currencies