TAVOLA NUOVA DI GERMANIA

Key Properties

Edition: From Ruscelli's edition of Ptolemy's Geografia

Language: Italian text; Latin heading on verso

Collation & Technical Description

Hand-coloured copper engraving. Approx. 22 × 28.6 cm. Latin verso headed 'Germaniae Nova Tabula'. Plate first issued 1561 and reissued 1562, 1564, 1574 and 1598.

Condition

The map appears reasonably good, with a normal centre fold, generous margins and light age marks. Pencil notes in the margins make the presentation slightly less crisp.

References & Bibliography

Girolamo Ruscelli, after Giacomo Gastaldi, from Ruscelli's edition of Ptolemy's Geografia, Venice (Valgrisi, 1561; reissued 1562, 1564, 1574, 1598).

The Gastaldi/Ruscelli atlas reintroduced copper engraving into cartography.

Description

An attractive early copper engraving of Germany and Central Europe. Ruscelli based his map on a smaller model by Giacomo Gastaldi and enlarged the image for his edition of Ptolemy.

The Latin text on the verso with the heading Germaniae Nova Tabula probably points to an early Latin issue. This makes the sheet more interesting than an ordinary later impression.

The map marks the transition from woodcut to the finer copper engraving in sixteenth-century atlas production.

Notable features: Probably an early issue; Early copper engraving after Gastaldi; Attractive historical hand-colouring.

Historical Significance

From Ruscelli's enlarged edition of Ptolemy's Geografia, a landmark in the reintroduction of copper-engraved maps after Giacomo Gastaldi.

Provenance

Not established.