Africae Vera Forma, et Situs

This is the second uncommonly available map of Africa by the De Jode family of cartographers, printers and publishers. The highly regarded map is decorated with sea monsters and ships. It was published only once, in 1593 in the second edition of the rare atlas Speculum orbis terrae, by Cornelis de Jode (1568-1600), son of Gerard, in Antwerp. Although the atlas was highly regarded, the atlas was not a commercial success, probably due to the popularity of Ortelius’s Theatrum. The plate for this map was sold after Cornelis’s untimely death but it was not used again – hence the rarity of the map.

 The map retains the continental outline from Gastaldi, with the interior based on Mercator's world map of 1569. The Nile River arises from Lac  Zairie, one of the three subequatorial lakes and tributaries from Ethiopia are also show. Lac Sachaf is depicted as the source of three southern African Rivers:  Zabere, i.e., Zembere, Cuama (Zambezi) and Spirito (Limpopo)). De Jode followed Ortelius in misplacing Zanzibar on the south-west coast of Africa.

 This copy of the map is uncoloured and in near fine condition: there is a short marginal tear outside the plate line at the bottom right that has been professionally repaired. The border has been lightly coloured.

 References: Betz’s Mapping of Africa, #27; Norwich’s Maps of Africa #19; Map Collectors’ Series No. 29 #143.

Publisher: Antwerp, Cornelis de Jode

Dimensions: 45 x 32.5 cm

Date: 1593

Estimate: $4000-$7500

Reserve: $3500