Antique world map by Ptolemy - Fries 1541
Orbis Typus Universalis Iuxta Hydrographorum Traditionem Exactissime Depicta 1522 L.F.
Item Number: 13659 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > World and Polar
"The majority of the maps in Laurent Fries' edition of Ptolemy's Geographia were reduced copies from the corresponding maps in Waldseemüller's 1513 edition. The first of the two modern world maps in the atlas is however Fries' own rendering which is dated 1522 and is initialled 'L.F.' in the main title. ...
Unfortunately Fries has done little more than add further distortion and error to Walseemüller's rendering which, as was noted, was probably conceived around 1507. Europe is very crudely drawn with England and Scotland reverting to separate islands. ...
In spite of these imperfections Fries' map is much sought after as it somehow reflects the ambiguities of his age. A framework of medieval thinking is having to be re-cast in order to accept the as yet unrealised extent of the newly conquered lands. For decorative value, if not for accuracy, the map has considerable attractions. It was reprinted in the late Strassburg, Lyons and Vienne editions of Ptolemy and it is one of the earliest world maps that collectors can still obtain." (Shirley).
"This map is one of the earliest world maps available to a collector, and is an unsophisticated but attractive rendering of what was generally known of the world at that time" (Shirley).
Woodcut
Size: 32.5 x 48cm (12.6 x 18.6 inches)
Verso: Blank
Condition: Small repairs at lower corners (outside the image), light spotting at right, washed and flattened.
Condition Rating: B
References: Shirley (World), 48; Karrow, 28/51.
From: Claudii Ptolemaei Alexandrini geographicae enarrationis libri octo. Lyon, M. Servetus, 1541. (Karrow, 288/G.3)
The editor of this edition, Michael Villanovus (better known as Servetus), was tried for heresy in 1553. He was burned at the stake, and at Calvin's orders, many copies of Servetus's books, including this one, followed him into the flames.