Lot 08732

Blaeu W. J., “Cyprus Insula“, c.1635 from the French edition of “Le Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas…”. French text on verso. Contemporary colouring. The map is based o Ortelius map of Cyprus printed in 1573, with Blaeu correcting the Ptolemaic longitude by about 6°, and significantly enhancing the artistic parts of the map. It is considered the finest published copper-plate map of Cyprus. At the top-center it bears the coat of arms of the Royal House of the Lusignans, while at the top-left depicts the Turkish arms. Impressive title cartouche dominated with the figure of Aphrodite sailing towards Paphos reclining on a couch on a shell-shaped sea-chariot drawn by her swamps. Scattered spotting (mainly marginal), light sunning of the margins. Zacharakis 381, Stylianou 112, Zacharakis “One Hundred Maps…” 035.