Description
First edition of this large scale c.18th map of the East Indies, with a prominently feature northern Australia by Giacomo de Cantelli da Vignola (1643-1695), although dated 1683 within the title it was published in 1685 by Giovanni Giacomo De Rossi (1627-1691).
A superb rococo title cartouche surrounded by putti and three merman supporting the shell-like structure adorns the lower left corner. The title explains that the map shows recent discoveries including ‘Isole de Ladri’ (Island of Thieves) in the south seas. Australia is named ‘Nuova Olanda’ and the northwest has the names Beach, Maleteur and Lucach which were derived from the scribed accounts of Marco Polo’s travels. As well as ‘Paese di Concordia’, meaning ‘Country of Concordia’, which refers to the discoveries made in 1616 by Hartog in the Eendracht. Other Dutch discoveries include those of Cartensz 1623 on Cape York and Abel Tasman 1644 on his second voyage. The Trial Islands, where the English ship the Trial was wrecked in 1621 are shown incorrectly placed off the northwest coast and New Guinea is shown separated from Papua (Iran Jaya) by a strait, an error that had existed since the 1590s.
From Rossi’s Mercurio Geografico overo guida Geografica in tutte le parti del Mundo, published in Rome.
Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 3409746
State Library NSW: M2 470/1688/1A
