**First Time At Auction**

John Ogilby (British, 1600-1676). Map of Peru from John Ogilby's "Complete History of America" ca. 1670 CE. A finely engraved and hand-colored antique map of the South American country of Peru by British geographer and publisher John Ogilby (1600-1676)with beautiful depictions of indigenous peoples, flora, and fauna at the upper left; ships and sea creatures in the sea; mermaids and cupids in the waters at the lower right. The map is set in an attractive slate blue matte and golden frame -ready to display! Size of map: 13.875" W x 11.25" H (35.2 cm x 28.6 cm) Size of frame: 23.125" W x 20.625" H (58.7 cm x 52.4 cm)

According to Barry Lawrence Ruderman's description of this map, "The map extends from Los Pastos in the west to Talvera and Yuntas and Atacama in the east and provides a marvelous, if primitive, look at the Cordilleras, towns, and rivers along the coastline. Embellished with two large cartouches, a sea monster, and sailing ships, plus a compass rose. One of the most decorative early maps of Peru, then the richest part of the Spanish Empire in the New World."

Interestingly, despite being amont the most respected British geographers and publishers of the 17th century, John Ogilby began his career in geography in the last decade of his life. While little is known about his childhood, we do know that he apprenticed to John Draper who was a London dancing master by 1619, and from 1620 to 1641, Ogilby would work as a dancing master, a theater owner, and a courtier.

Ruderman describes Ogilby's entre into geography as follows, "In 1669, Ogilby published Embassy to China. At the same time, he planned to release atlases that would cover the entire world. These atlases would be funded via subscriptions, advertisements, and lotteries?all common practice at the time, especially for expensive multi-volume works. He released Africa and Atlas Japannensis in 1670, America in 1671 and Atlas Chinensis in 1671, and Asia in 1673. Ogilby compiled the works based on materials produced by others and they reflect a growing interest in the wider world within England.

In 1671, while producing the atlases, Ogilby secured another royal title, that of his Majesty?s cosmographer. He used this title when publishing Britannia in 1675, his best-known work. The Britannia is best described as a road atlas; it shows 2519 miles of road in 100 strip maps. This technique would be widely adopted in the subsequent century. His method of measuring with a waywiser, a large wheel, also helped to standardize the distance of the English mile at 1760 yards. The Britannia was a major achievement in early English cartography and was republished in 1698, 1719, and 1720."

Provenance: ex Stein collection, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, USA, acquired prior to 2010

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#164346

Map has not been examined outside the frame but appears to present with toning to the paper and stained areas as shown.