Arabia Asia Korea as island unknown Australia Japan near Alaska 1597 Magini map
Arabia Asia Korea as island unknown Australia Japan near Alaska 1597 Magini map Arabia Asia Korea as island unknown Australia Japan near Alaska 1597 Magini map
$ 550.00

Asia.

(Geography of the known world, Asia, Indian Ocean, New Guinea, India, Japan, Arabia).

Issued 1597, Venice by Magini.

Scarce late-16th century copper engraved map, depicting from East Africa across to Japan, New Guinea and the tip of Australia. Oceans are stippled as typical for Italian maps of this era.

Japan is barely recognizable and positioned too far north, seemingly across from Alaska coastline. Korea is un-named and apparently an island across from the Philippines. The unusual projection distorts the land masses, especially Arabian peninsula. At the lower right corner is the tip of a land mass (Australis) which is labelled as Terra incognita (unknown land). New Guinea is enormous, larger than India or Southeast Asia.

Nice looking example, pleasing age patina, any minor age flaws easy to overlook or forgive. Latin text on reverse.

Sheet measures c. 6 1/2" H x 8 7/8" W.

Engraved area measures c. 5 1/4" H x 6 3/4" W.

Cartographic Reference(s):

Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers, vol. 3.

[R20409].