Original Abraham Ortelius Map of Africa: The Kingdom of Prester John [Theatrum Orbis Terrarum]
by Abraham Ortelius [1527-1598]
- Used
- very good
- Condition
- Very Good
- Seller
-
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, United Kingdom
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Antwerp , Circa 1579. Very Good. Copper engraved map, coloured by hand, central fold, Latin text on verso. Sheet size: 16 1/4" x 21 1/8" (413mm x 537mm). Condition: Just some neat reinforcing to slight central fold parting otherwise very good. A highly significant map, one of the cornerstone maps of Africa. Shows the supposed central African kingdom of the Christian priest-king Prester John. Who, according to legend, stood as the main defence against the forces of barbarism. The origin of the Nile is shown as being the mythical twin lakes of Zaire and Zaflan, the source of which as the Mountains of the Moon. The decorative elements include two pairs of large elephants, sea monsters and a dhow. Two large strapworks contain the title and the text of the legend. Priest John is a mythical king with a long cartographical history, who was supposed to provide a stronghold against the Barbarians, and to be an ally for crusaders. His kingdom was originally surmised to have been located in India (for instance by Waldseemüller in 1507), but was later placed in Africa (Gemma Frisius-Ptolemy 1522).
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Details
- Bookseller
- Prior Books (GB)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 116348
- Title
- Original Abraham Ortelius Map of Africa: The Kingdom of Prester John [Theatrum Orbis Terrarum]
- Author
- Abraham Ortelius [1527-1598]
- Book Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Place of Publication
- Antwerp
- Date Published
- Circa 1579
- Weight
- 1.25 lbs
Terms of Sale
Prior Books
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About the Seller
Prior Books
Biblio member since 2007
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
About Prior Books
In addition to thousands of general books and hard-to-find academic titles covering a wide range of topics, we also sell fine, rare, interesting and antiquarian books of all kinds.Many of our regular customers and clients are based overseas and we have an exceptional record when it comes to promptly shipping books abroad.Moreover, we're always keen to buy individual books of importance, especially first editions and collections of scholarly works.We take pride in being straightforward and generous buyers and we have the resources to deal with very large libraries.We also carry out valuations for purposes of sale, insurance or probate.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Verso
- The page bound on the left side of a book, opposite to the recto page.