Abissino Rum Sive Pretiosi Ioannis Imperiu

Map. Engraving with hand coloring. Image measures 13.75 x 19.25". Sheet measures 17.5 x 21.5". This map of central Africa includes the Red Sea and the horn of Africa, extending south to the present-day Democratic Republic of the Congo. An inset in the upper right shows the Christian regions of Africa on the coast of the Atlantic. Published circa 1606, the map has a decorative scheme that includes pictorial mountains and engraved textures that mimic ocean waves. Hand coloring used to separate regions extends to the map's border, which is a pale pink. The map is in very good condition with no chips ot tears and ample margins. Some discoloration at center (truncated) fold, primarily in the top margin.Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) was an accomplished mathematician, cartographer, globe maker and engraver but is best known for the Mercator Projection. Incorporating the newly accepted fact that the world is round, Mercator was able to render longitude lines consistently straight on a chart. Although this requires some distortion, it was of great use for navigators, and is historically important, as it is still the most commonly used projection today. (Inventory #: 265547)