ΓΕΩΡΓΕΙΡΗΝΗΣ Ιωσήφ [GEORGIRENE Joseph], SCHENK Peter, “Insula SAMOS Polycratis Reg. et Pythagorae Phyl. patria ferax gregum terraeq. fictilis prout hodie sub. Turcarum dominio incolitur / ex description potissimum Iosephi Georgirene, Samiorum Archiepiscopi”, Amsterdam, P. Schenk, [c.1685-1690].

Separately printed copper engraved map of Samos, with inset maps of Icaria and Patmos (ΣΑΜΟΣ, ΙΚΑΡΙΑ, ΠΑΤΜΟΣ), dim. 59x50cm. Title cartouche depicting Pythagoras in Samos, surrounded by instruments of measurement. Contemporary partly coloured.

The map was originally prepared in a manuscript format by the Greek scholar and Archibishop of Samos (1666-1671) Joseph Georgirene, in order to accompany his travel account entitled “A Description of the present state of Samos, Nicaria, Patmos and Mount Athos” (London , 1678). Due to financial shortages, the map was not finally included in the publication and few years after (c.1680) Georgirenes sold the manuscript of his map to the German cartographer Peter Schenk. Schenk published separately the map most probably before 1689,with the financial support of the young prince Lebrecht von Anhalt, who covered the engraving of the map by Bernhard Georg Andermuller. The map of Samos was not a commercial success and as it was separately printed only once.

Tear along middle-fold with self-adhesive tape on reverse, the tear is evident on front for the upper part ~5cm; reinforcing paper placed along lower part of middle-fold on reverse, few brown spots.

Zacharakis 3269, Zacharakis "One Hunderd Landmarks of the Printed mapping...", No.84.

EXTREMELY RARE