Graeciae Pars Meridionalis - Craecia Antiqua

 64 cm x 48 cm copperplate engraving, 75 cm x 54 cm sheet size, modern hand colour, Engraved in Paris 1707, Printed in London 1794

We are pleased to offer this scarce original map (Zacharakis 864) of Ancient Greece, Crete, the Aegean Islands and the southeast coast of Turkey as constituted in the time of the late Roman Empire by the renowned French geographer Guillaume De L'Isle (aka Delisle, 1675-1726)  This large and scholarly example of "historical cartography" is representative of De L'Isle's work at the peak of his career - beautifully engraved in the "modern" style he advocated and elegantly composed for a satisfying aesthetic presentation.  Walter Goffart in his definitive study Historical Atlases - The First 300 Years observed that De L'Isle "prized modern geography for the light that it shed on ancient."  Thus the map was said to have been based on the most recent surveys and astronomical observations.  It is a mark of the esteem in which De L'Isle's historical maps were held that numerous publishers acquired the plate issuing imprints of the map throughout the 18th century - here the British publishers Laurie and Whittle acquired the plate and reissued the map in this edition - eighty-seven years after its original publication!  This well preserved example will make a fine presentation if matted and framed and will make an important addition to any collection related to historical maps of the region.

Cartouche with multiple vignettes from Ancient Greece including the Colossus of Rhodes features two scholars and is presided over by an Aphrodite figure:

To get a sense of map detail consider that the distance from Athens to Sparta as seen below measures just 13 cm actual size:

Note pictorial topography, road network on Crete:

Condition - Please note carefully:  The map is in very good condition as can be ascertained from photos, strong impression with distinct platemark, centrefold as issued, no text on verso, image area very clean with some soiling at lower right, near lower centrefold and a few tiny spots around title cartouche.  Slightly more pronounced soiling is present in margins, and a few spots on verso are faintly visible as show-through in the Aegean; all can be evaluated in photos.  In all a well preserved example of this large map that will make a superb presentation if matted and framed.   Inquiries welcome and we encourage you to visit our other auctions on eBay.

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