Mercator G., "CANDIA cum Insulis aliquot circa Graeciam / Per Gerardum Mercatorem / Cum Privilegio" 1589-1638. Latin text on verso. Map dim. 47x34cm.

Impressive hand coloured copper engr. map creating a mosaic by including in insets 6 maps of major Aegean islands: "Corfu", "Zante", "Milo", "Nicsia", "Santorini", "Scarpanto" (Κέρκυρα, Ζάκυνθος, Μήλος, Νίσυρος, Σαντορίνη, Κάρπαθος). The map follows the "new" geographical outline of Crete, first issued by Ortelius in 1584, depicting more accurately the outline and the geographical position of the island, comparing to the 16th century Ptolemaic maps. The map is rich in place-names, indicating a total of 320 landmarks. The current map was used as the base for many maps that followed, produced by famous geographers such as Blaeu, Jansonius, Shenk, Visscher, De Wit et al.

Tears professionally repaired along middle-fold, one marginal tear on upper part (not reaching the engraved area), light toning.

Zacharakis 2209, Zacharakis "One Hunderd Landmarks...", No.31.