- 8
World--Forlani, Paolo.
Description
- Universale descrittione di tutta conosciuta fin qui. [Rome or Venice?]: Claudio Duchetti, 1570, 400 x 742mm., engraved map of the world on two sheets joined, trimmed to the engraved border, and inlaid for inclusion in a contemporary atlas, light wear to old folds
- paper
Literature
Shirley, Mapping of the World 121, noting two institutional locations; Tooley, Maps in Italian Atlases 15, noting six institutional locations; Wagner, Cartography of the Northwest Coast of America 78, and cf. 89, seeming to suggest there are later states, dated 1572 and 1581 not seen by Shirley or Woodward; Woodward, Maps and prints of Paolo Forlani 80
Condition
"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."
Catalogue Note
An extremely rare and finely engraved world map, in typical Forlani style, on an oval projection, published by Claudio Duchetti in 1570.
Although dated 1570, the geography may be considered retrogressive, retaining the older delineation of a contiguous Asia-North American landmass, rather than the more modern delineation, introduced by Gastaldi in the early 1560s, showing the two continents divided by the Strait of Anian as seen, for example, in the previous lot, engraved by Forlani, circa 1565. This has led some commentators to suggest that this is reprinted from an existing plate, certainly a possibility, although there seems no evidence of re-engraving of the imprint, for example.
Another notable geographical feature is the extensive great southern continent ("Terra Incognita") extending across the lower part of the map.
While Duchetti was nephew to, and in 1577 successor of, the Rome publisher Antonio Lafreri, there is circumstantial evidence to suggest he operated a shop in Venice in about 1570, and appears to have commissioned numbers of maps from Forlani at this time.