Berlinghieri, Francesco / Ptolemaeus, Claudius.

Shirley 9

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

one of the earliest printed maps, from only the third printed atlas, and the first version of Ptolemy in Italian, showing the world as it was known in the second century a.d. The map, though strictly classical, gains considerable artistic appeal from the presence of twelve imposing windheads.

The identity of the engraver of the maps remains uncertain but it is believed by some to be by Francesco Rosselli, who was one of the earliest known map-sellers and was active in Florence up to his death in 1513.  Rosselli, by training a miniaturist, if the attribution can be accepted, has brought his talents to bear, making this perhaps the finest engraved map from this early period of printed cartography. 

"It is said that these maps were sometimes sold separately, or in sets without text. I've hardly ever come across single examples and only once a set" (Wardington Catalogue).

Although textually Berlinghieri's Geographia is not considered to be a proper edition of Ptolemy, these are the only examples of Ptolemy's maps printed on the original Ptolemaic projection of equidistant parallels and meridians, and the first to provide gazetteers for individual maps.