Porcacchi - L’ isole piu’ famose del mondo - 1576

Porcacchi Tommaso

The most famous islands in the world

In Venetia - 1576 -
Simon Galignani & Girolamo Porro

(28), 201, (1) p. ill.
Signature: a-b6 c3 A-R6

THE CELEBRATED RENAISSANCE ISOLARIUM OF TOMMASO PORCACCHI, ILLUSTRATED WITH 47 SPLENDID MAPS ENGRAVED IN COPPER BY GIROLAMO PORRO.

Important and very rare second edition, expanded with 17 new maps compared to the first.
Porcacchi’s isolario, originally published in 1572, presents elegant maps not only of Europe and the Mediterranean, but also of the New World.

Includes the important Forlani map of North America, as well as Temistitan (Mexico), Cuba, Spagnuola, the Moluccas, two new maps of Jamaica and San Giovanni, two world maps, and a sea chart.

Additionally the sought-after maps of Venice, Malta, Cyprus and Naxos.

ADAMS P-1905
SABIN 64149
OLSCHKI, CHOIX I, 990
LECLERC 1192
NORDENSKIOLD II, 187
PHILLIPS ATLASES 167

Contains 47 marvellous maps, among which the world map (according to Shirley, a perfect reduced copy of Camocio of 1567) and the ‘nautical chart’ (with routes and winds), with historical and geographical descriptions of the islands then known.

All 47 maps contained in this edition are visible in the photos.

The beautiful engravings, in Lafrerian style, are by the Venetian artist Girolamo Porro.
The third book is dedicated to the history and illustrations of the new discoveries.

The isolario developed in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, as an illustrated guide for navigators.

Excellent modern binding in refined cognac leather, with an elegant five-railed spine, bearing decorations and triple gold tooling, as well as author and title also in gold.
Very light marginal foxing on the covers.

Very good internal preservation, with strong and fresh sheets.
Perfect preservation of all 47 maps and the splendid frontispiece untouched.
Also superb the colophon mark, by Simon Galignani De Karera, with date preceding 1575.
No defects to report other than a microscopic trace of worming a few millimetres long touching the upper margin of the maps in the first part of the text (nevertheless far from the text and the engraving) and very slight browning on a few maps.
Also perfectly preserved are the original guard leaves.

Exquisite and superb copy.
BOUND. COMPLETE