LUCINI Antonio Francesco/Negroponte Giovanni Battista, "CANDIA Il Regno di Candia detto dal Antichi Creta... / Annibale Bentivogli... Gan Duca di Toscana... Gio. Batt. Negroponti / AF Lucini Fece", [1645]. Unrecorded edition of Lucinis map of Crete by Negroponte. An extremely rare separately printed map of Crete - Κρήτη, published around 1650-1660. The original map was prepared by A. F. Lucini, one of the most talented map makers and engravers in Italy in the 17th century, best known for his superb engravings in Sir R. Dudleys "Arcano del Mar". The map is accurate for the time, it follows the geographical outline of the island of Mercator and is decorated with three cartouches. The central title cartouche contains a thick text, providing accurate information of military and nautical interest, like the ports of the island, their capacity of warships, the fortifications, bays ets. It seems that the map meet the needs of a very critical phase of the Cretan war, with the operations centered around Chania. The right-hand cartouche contains the dedication text, with the map dedicated to Annibale Bentivogli (1606-1663), titular  Archibishop of Thebae (Thiva) and ambassador of Pope to "Gran Duca di Toscana" (Ferdinando II de Medici). On lower part of the cartouche, is also noted the name of the publisher Giovanni Battista Negroponte, a publisher from Bologna active in ~1635-1660. The left cartouche depicts Archibishops ornaments, most probably the coats of arms of Annibale Bentivogli. Various short tears, creases, but the engraved area without losses. The map is attached on thick carton. An extremely rare piece. Only one other of the first edition has been tracked and published in Zacharakis catalogue under No.2119 and in Zacharakis C., "One Hundred Landmarks...", 2018, under No.040. Comparing to this map, the current one preserves the upper right dedication cartouche and lacks the publication date and Florentine authorities licence at lower right part. We could propose that very close to 1652 and after resigning from the position of the Ambassador to Toscane, Bentivogli returned to Bolognia, his native city (always a Papal fief), and supported the reedition of the map by Negroponte.  

References: Zacharakis 2119, Zacharakis C., "One Hundred Landmarks...", No.040. EXTREMELY RARE