Asiae novissima tabulae

Acquired From: Leen Helmink

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: No

Date Acquired: 31/10/2022

Description: This finely engraved map of Asia is from the first edition of Gerard de Jodes Speculum Orbis Terrae, published in Antwerp in 1578 as a rival to Abraham Orteliuss Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (for 1584 edition View Record (#252)). Though praised for its detail and design, de Jodes atlas was overshadowed by Orteliuss commercial success and privilege, limiting its contemporary distribution and long-term influence.nAsiae novissima tabula ncorporates geographic information from earlier sources such as Gastaldi and Ramusio, while also reflecting the influence of contemporary Spanish and Portuguese explorations. The map extends from the eastern Mediterranean to the Pacific coast, including parts of New Guinea and speculative representations of unexplored territories.nKey features include:n The Indian subcontinent is exaggerated in scale and projects prominently into the Indian Oceann Southeast Asia is depicted as a complex of islands, with Java, Sumatra, and the Philippines labeled but often misalignedn China and Japan are represented with improved accuracy compared to earlier Ptolemaic models, though distortions remainn The map includes hypothetical geography in the Arctic and along the eastern margins of Asia,nThe verso contains Latin text commentary on the Asian continent. The typographic style, pagination with Roman numerals, and cartographic content confirm this example as part of the 1578 edition.nThis map stands as an important comparative piece in the history of early modern cartography, illustrating de Jodes attempt to provide a more up-to-date and visually refined alternative to Orteliuss work.

Engraver: Deutecum Joannes and Lucas van

First published: Speculum Orbis Terrae Antwerp: Gerard de Jode, 1578

Image Size (cm): 44.5×34.5

Mapmaker: De Jode, Gerard (1509-1591)

Price: 16000

Primary Category: Asia

Purchase Reference: Ledger 2025

Rarity: R1 Extremely rare – occasionally seen on the market

Sheet size (cm): 57.5×42.5

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1578