Acquired From: Leen Helmink
Colouring: Coloured
Condition: Very Good
Date Acquired: 22/5/21
Description: In 1583 Jan Huygen van Linschoten, a Dutch explorer, travelled to Goa, India where he served as secretary to João Vicente da Fonseca, the newly appointed Portuguese Archbishop. At the time, Goa was the capital of the Estado da Índia, the administrative term for Portugals vast territories across the Indian Ocean. Linschotens position placed him at the centre of the Portuguese empire.nDuring his stay in Goa, Linschoten gathered a wealth of information on India, the Spice Islands, China, and Japan, while also meticulously documenting the sea routes of the East Indies. After returning to the Dutch Republic in 1592, he prepared his observations and notes for publication with the Amsterdam publisher Cornelis Claesz.nIn 1596, Linschoten's Itinerario, Voyage ofte Schipvaert naer Oost ofte Portugaels Indien (Itinerary, Voyage or Navigation to the East or Portuguese Indies) was published in Amsterdam by Claesz (the English followed in 1598, View Record (#356)). A feature of the book is its collection of thirty-six engraving, drawn by Linschoten and engraved by Joannes and Baptista à Doetechum. These engravings depict the people, customs, and products of India, with a particular focus on Goa and its surrounding regions. nThe Itinerario also included a world map by Petrus Plancius (View Record (#71)), first published in 1594, and five regional maps. Among these was map of Asia and the Indian Ocean (View Record (#254)), and a detailed map of Southeast Asia (View Record (#74)), a map of South and West Africa, extending into parts of the Atlantic (View Record (#277)), this map of East Africa and a map of South and Central America (View Record (#279)) designed by Arnold Florent van Langren and engraved by his brother Henricus in 1595. nThe Nile River is depicted with its source as the Lake of Zaflan, a detail influenced by contemporary geographic theories. Above the lake, the map features a striking image of Prester John, the legendary Christian king believed to rule over a vast kingdom in the heart of Ethiopia.nOn the right side of the map, a cartouche presents the title in both Latin and Dutch, accompanied by a detailed description of the depicted regions. Translated into English, it reads: "Illustration of the coasts of the land called Terra do Natal, as well as all the coasts of Safala, Mozambique, Melinde, and the island of S. Lorenzo [Madagascar] … along with the islands from Maldiva to the Island of Ceylon, extending to the promontory of Cormorin, situated on the coast of India … all rendered very accurately, revised, and improved based on the finest Indian maps."nThe map is adorned with intricate compass roses, richly detailed sailing shipssome engaged in battleand mythical sea monsters
Engraver: Langren, Henricus Florent van
First published: Linschoten, Jan Huygen van Itinerario: Voyage ofte schipvaert Amsterdam: Cornelis Claesz,. 1596
Image Size (cm): 55.5×30
Mapmaker: Linschoten, Jan Huygen van (1563-1611)
Price: 14,000
Primary Category: Africa
Purchase Reference: Email 22 May 2021
Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market
Sheet size (cm): 58.5×40
Technique: Copper Engraving
This state: 1596
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