429 x 595mm., double-page engraved Ptolemaic map, mounted on card, some restoration and repairs, with slight loss to windheads (as often), small area in lower left corner supplied in pen and ink

Shirley 9

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

ONE OF THE EARLIEST PRINTED WORLD MAPS, FROM THE THIRD PRINTED ATLAS, and the first version of Ptolemy in Italian, showing the world as it was known in the second century A.D. The map, though strictly classical, gains considerable artistic appeal mostly from the presence of twelve windheads. "The world map is strictly classical. It is drawn according to Ptolemy's own equal-area projection and the engraving is clear and of commendable elegance. There are twelve vigorous windheads, each with flowing hair, forming a decorative border ... Unlike other Ptolemaic atlases, sets of Berlinghieri maps were sold separately, without text" (Shirley).   

The identity of the engraver of the maps remains uncertain but it is believed by some to be by Francesco Rosselli, who was one of the earliest known map-sellers and was active in Florence up to his death in 1513.  Rosselli, by training a miniaturist, if the attribution can be accepted, has brought his talents to bear, making this perhaps the finest engraved map from this early period of printed cartography. Although textually Berlinghieri's Geographia is not considered to be a proper edition of Ptolemy, these are the only examples of Ptolemy's maps printed on the original Ptolemaic projection of equidistant parallels and meridians, and the first to provide gazetteers for individual maps.