Ortelius: Presbiteri Iohannis (Prester John)
Similar Sale History
View More Items in Maps & Atlases
Related Maps & Atlases
![[MAP]. ORTELIUS, Abraham. Presbiteri Iohannis, sive, Abissinorum Imperii Descriptio. 1592.: [MAP]. ORTELIUS, Abraham. (1527-1598). Presbiteri Iohannis, sive, Abissinorum Imperii Descriptio. Antwerp, 1592. Engraved map with hand-coloring. Matted, framed, and double glazed, visible area 406 x](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/329395/177650536_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1715364962)
![[MAP]. SPEED, John. A New Mappe of the Romane Empire. 1676.: [MAP]. SPEED, John (ca 1551-1629). A New Mappe of the Romane Empire. London: Basset & Chiswell, 1676. Engraved map with hand-coloring. Framed and double glazed, sight 419 x 559 mm. Decorative cartouch](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/329395/177650541_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1715364962)
More Items in Maps & Atlases
View More
![[Maps] Martin Zeiler, Itinerarium Italiae, 1640: [Maps] Martin Zeiler, Itinerarium Italiae, 1640, Martini Zeilleri. Itinerarium Italiae Nov-Antiquae: oder, Raiss-Beschreibung durch Italien, Matthaus Merian, Frankfurt, 40 plates, most double-page, in](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/188/326797/176317459_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1713847031)
![[Maps] Gio. Ant. Magnini, Italia, 1620: [Maps] Gio. Ant. Magnini, Italia, 1620, Giovanni Antonio Magnini. Italia, data in luce da Fabio suo figliuolo al Serenissimo Ferdinado Gonzaga Duca di Matoua edi Monserrato etc. Bologna, for Sebastian](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/188/326797/176317457_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1713847031)
![[MAP]. TODESCHI, Pietro. [Nova et Acurata Totius Americae Tabula auct. G.I. Blaeu] America quarta: [MAP]. TODESCHI, Pietro. [Nova et Acurata Totius Americae Tabula auct. G.I. Blaeu] America quarta pars orbis quam plerunq, nuvum orbem appellitant primo detecta est anno 1492 a Christophoro Columbo...](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/197/329395/177650542_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1715364962)
Recommended Transportation & Travel Collectibles
View More
Item Details
Description
No Reserve!
Title/Content of Map: Presbiteri Iohannis (Prester John) Date: 1603 Cartographer: Abraham Ortelius Material/Medium: Old hand color, good impression. Latin text on verso. From the first modern atlas- the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum by Abraham Ortelius. Size: 18 x 23 inches Condition: Very good condition, a few small crack holes/tears, no real staining or soiling.
Provenance: 300 copies printed originally. Very few loose copies remaining. Old World Auctions shows a copy of similar quality selling for $1,300 in 2010, and in slightly better condition for $1,800 in 2007. Most copies offered by dealers start at $1,600. More background: Ortelius’ whimsical map of the kingdom of Prester John- a fictional Christian king who was supposed to have ruled over a third of the African continent. Crusaders for years attempted to make contact in order to persuade him to aid them in their holy wars. Title: PRESBITERI | IOHANNIS, SI:|VE, ABISSINO:|RVM IMPERII | DESCRIPTIO. [A representation of [the country of] Prester John, or the Empire of the Abessinians]. (Frame in upper left with 17 lines of text:) "Titulus Insignia Presbiteri Ioîs” | DAVID SVPREMVS MEORVM REGORVM, A | DEO VNICE DILECTVS, COLVMNA FIDEI, | ORTVS EX STIRPE IVDA, FILIVS DAVID, | FILIVS SALOMONIS, FILIVS COLVMNAE | SIONIS, FILIVS EX SEMINE IACOB, FILIVS | MANVS MARIAE,FILIVS NAHV SECVNDÛ | CARNEM,FILIVS SANCTORVM PETRI ET | PAVLI SECVNDVM GRATIAM;IMPERATOR | SVPERIORIS ET MAIORIS AETHIOPIAE,ET | AMPLISSIMORVM REGNORVM IVRISDIC:|TIONVM ET TERRARVM;REX GOAE,CAFFA:|TES,FATIGAR,ANGOTAE,BARV,BALIGVANZAE, | ADEAE,VANGVAE,GOIAMAE, VBI NILI FONTES, | AMARAE,BANGVAMEDRI,AMBEAE,VANGVCI, | TIGREMAHON,SABAIM PATRIAE REGINAE SA:|BAE,BARNAGASSI;ET DOMINVS VSQVE IN NV:|BIAM QVAE IN AEGYPTVM EXTENDITVR. [Honorary title of Prester John/King David is the highest of my Kings. [I, Presbyterius Ioannes], specially chosen by God, pillar of faith, born from the tribe of Judah, son of David, son of Salomo, son of the pillar of Zion, son from the seed of Jacob, son of the hand of Maria, son of Nahum's flesh, son of the holy Peter and Paul in mercy, emperor of upper and great Æthiopia, and of the legal grounds and countries of the most elevated kingdoms; king of Goa, Caffates, Fatigar, Angota, Baru, Balinguanza, Adea, Vangua, Goiama where the Nile has its sources, of Amara, Banguamedrum, Ambea, Vangucum, Tigremahon, of Saba, homeland of the Queen of Saba, of Barnagassum and Lord of all of Namibia, extending all the way to Egypt]. (Middle left:) "Insula S. Thomæ, Sacca:|ro ditiß. quod inde no:|men habet". [The isle of Saint Thomas is very rich in sugar, after which it has hence been named.] (Left centre:) "Hic Niger | fluuius se sub:|ter terram condens, | post 60. milliaria de:|nuo in lacum emergit". [Here the river Niger disappears underground, and after 60 miles finally emerges in the lake.] (Left centre:) "Reg. Damute. hic | effoditur aurum in | magna copia". [The kingdom of Damute. Here gold is mined in great quantities]. (Centre:) NVBIA "Regnum | olim Christianum, hodie | vero nullã fere religionem | colunt. Regio est auro di:|tiß. atque ebore: Sac:|cari & fru:|menti | feracis:|sima, Precipua | vrbs est Dangala, cuius inco:|læ sunt ditißimi, & cum | Aegypti mercatorib. nego:|ciantur: in ea maxima | Sandali & zibetti copia; | domus sunt cretaceæ, | stramineisque | tectis". [Nubia was once a Christian kingdom, but now they do not apply themselves to religion at all. The region is very rich in gold and ivory, and yields sugar and fruits in great abundance. Its main city is Dangala, whose inhabitants are very wealthy and they trade with Egyptian merchants. Here they make many shoes and bags. Their houses are covered with chalk and straw.] (Centre:) "Bagamidri | hic argenti | fodinæ sunt". [Bagamidri. Here are silver mines.] (Lower centre:) "Amara mons, hic Presbiteri | Iohannis filij in custodia à | præsidijs detinetur". [Mount Amara, Here the sons of Prester John were held captive by rulers.] (Lower left centre:) "Cafates. hic | Amasones | habitare dicût". [Cafates. Here they say that the Amazones live.] (Lower left:) "Zaire | lacus. | Tritones et | syrenes in hoc | lacu sunt". [Lake Zaire. In this lake are sea gods and sirens.] (Bottom centre:) "Lunæ montes, hinc Austrum versus Africa veterib. incognita fuit". [The Mountains of the Moon. From here southwards Africa was unknown to the ancients]. (Upper right:) "Medina Talnabi, vbi Mahumetis | sepulcrum magna frequentia visitur". [Medina Talnabi, where the grave of Mohammed is visited by multitudes]. (Upper right:) "Mechia, patria | Mahumetis." [Mecca, the native town of Mohammed.] (Upper right:) "Ex Arabia Felice Thus ad | nos defertur; quod hic, & | non alibi nascitur. Incolæ sua | lingua Louan vocant". [From Arabia Felix they bring incense which grows here and nowhere else. The inhabitants in their language call it Lovan.] (Middle right:) "Zocotera insula; quæ olim Dioscoriada | Hinc optima aloe, que inde Zocotori:|na appellatur, ad nos vehitur. Incolæ | eam Catecomar vocant Turci, Persæ et | Arabes Cebar; Hispani Acebar; et Lu:|sitani Azeure nominant; vti author | est Garcias ab Horto in sua aro:|matum historia". [The isle of Zocotra, once called Dioscoriada. From here they export to us excellent aloe, which for this reason is called Zocotorina. The inhabitants call it Catecomar, the Turks, Persians and Arabs call it Cebar, the Spanish Acebar, and the Portuguese call it Azeure, according to Garcias ab Horto in his History of Spices]. ]. (From leading Ortelius scholar Marcel van den Broecke.)
Shipping: Domestic: Flat-rate of $20.00 to anywhere within the contiguous U.S. International: Foreign shipping rates are determined by destination. Combined shipping: Please ask about combined shipping for multiple lots before bidding. Location: This item ships from New York
Your purchase is protected:
Photos, descriptions, and estimates were prepared with the utmost care by a fully certified expert and appraiser. All items in this sale are guaranteed authentic.
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Jasper52 specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Jasper52 within 5 days of receiving the item.
Provenance: 300 copies printed originally. Very few loose copies remaining. Old World Auctions shows a copy of similar quality selling for $1,300 in 2010, and in slightly better condition for $1,800 in 2007. Most copies offered by dealers start at $1,600. More background: Ortelius’ whimsical map of the kingdom of Prester John- a fictional Christian king who was supposed to have ruled over a third of the African continent. Crusaders for years attempted to make contact in order to persuade him to aid them in their holy wars. Title: PRESBITERI | IOHANNIS, SI:|VE, ABISSINO:|RVM IMPERII | DESCRIPTIO. [A representation of [the country of] Prester John, or the Empire of the Abessinians]. (Frame in upper left with 17 lines of text:) "Titulus Insignia Presbiteri Ioîs” | DAVID SVPREMVS MEORVM REGORVM, A | DEO VNICE DILECTVS, COLVMNA FIDEI, | ORTVS EX STIRPE IVDA, FILIVS DAVID, | FILIVS SALOMONIS, FILIVS COLVMNAE | SIONIS, FILIVS EX SEMINE IACOB, FILIVS | MANVS MARIAE,FILIVS NAHV SECVNDÛ | CARNEM,FILIVS SANCTORVM PETRI ET | PAVLI SECVNDVM GRATIAM;IMPERATOR | SVPERIORIS ET MAIORIS AETHIOPIAE,ET | AMPLISSIMORVM REGNORVM IVRISDIC:|TIONVM ET TERRARVM;REX GOAE,CAFFA:|TES,FATIGAR,ANGOTAE,BARV,BALIGVANZAE, | ADEAE,VANGVAE,GOIAMAE, VBI NILI FONTES, | AMARAE,BANGVAMEDRI,AMBEAE,VANGVCI, | TIGREMAHON,SABAIM PATRIAE REGINAE SA:|BAE,BARNAGASSI;ET DOMINVS VSQVE IN NV:|BIAM QVAE IN AEGYPTVM EXTENDITVR. [Honorary title of Prester John/King David is the highest of my Kings. [I, Presbyterius Ioannes], specially chosen by God, pillar of faith, born from the tribe of Judah, son of David, son of Salomo, son of the pillar of Zion, son from the seed of Jacob, son of the hand of Maria, son of Nahum's flesh, son of the holy Peter and Paul in mercy, emperor of upper and great Æthiopia, and of the legal grounds and countries of the most elevated kingdoms; king of Goa, Caffates, Fatigar, Angota, Baru, Balinguanza, Adea, Vangua, Goiama where the Nile has its sources, of Amara, Banguamedrum, Ambea, Vangucum, Tigremahon, of Saba, homeland of the Queen of Saba, of Barnagassum and Lord of all of Namibia, extending all the way to Egypt]. (Middle left:) "Insula S. Thomæ, Sacca:|ro ditiß. quod inde no:|men habet". [The isle of Saint Thomas is very rich in sugar, after which it has hence been named.] (Left centre:) "Hic Niger | fluuius se sub:|ter terram condens, | post 60. milliaria de:|nuo in lacum emergit". [Here the river Niger disappears underground, and after 60 miles finally emerges in the lake.] (Left centre:) "Reg. Damute. hic | effoditur aurum in | magna copia". [The kingdom of Damute. Here gold is mined in great quantities]. (Centre:) NVBIA "Regnum | olim Christianum, hodie | vero nullã fere religionem | colunt. Regio est auro di:|tiß. atque ebore: Sac:|cari & fru:|menti | feracis:|sima, Precipua | vrbs est Dangala, cuius inco:|læ sunt ditißimi, & cum | Aegypti mercatorib. nego:|ciantur: in ea maxima | Sandali & zibetti copia; | domus sunt cretaceæ, | stramineisque | tectis". [Nubia was once a Christian kingdom, but now they do not apply themselves to religion at all. The region is very rich in gold and ivory, and yields sugar and fruits in great abundance. Its main city is Dangala, whose inhabitants are very wealthy and they trade with Egyptian merchants. Here they make many shoes and bags. Their houses are covered with chalk and straw.] (Centre:) "Bagamidri | hic argenti | fodinæ sunt". [Bagamidri. Here are silver mines.] (Lower centre:) "Amara mons, hic Presbiteri | Iohannis filij in custodia à | præsidijs detinetur". [Mount Amara, Here the sons of Prester John were held captive by rulers.] (Lower left centre:) "Cafates. hic | Amasones | habitare dicût". [Cafates. Here they say that the Amazones live.] (Lower left:) "Zaire | lacus. | Tritones et | syrenes in hoc | lacu sunt". [Lake Zaire. In this lake are sea gods and sirens.] (Bottom centre:) "Lunæ montes, hinc Austrum versus Africa veterib. incognita fuit". [The Mountains of the Moon. From here southwards Africa was unknown to the ancients]. (Upper right:) "Medina Talnabi, vbi Mahumetis | sepulcrum magna frequentia visitur". [Medina Talnabi, where the grave of Mohammed is visited by multitudes]. (Upper right:) "Mechia, patria | Mahumetis." [Mecca, the native town of Mohammed.] (Upper right:) "Ex Arabia Felice Thus ad | nos defertur; quod hic, & | non alibi nascitur. Incolæ sua | lingua Louan vocant". [From Arabia Felix they bring incense which grows here and nowhere else. The inhabitants in their language call it Lovan.] (Middle right:) "Zocotera insula; quæ olim Dioscoriada | Hinc optima aloe, que inde Zocotori:|na appellatur, ad nos vehitur. Incolæ | eam Catecomar vocant Turci, Persæ et | Arabes Cebar; Hispani Acebar; et Lu:|sitani Azeure nominant; vti author | est Garcias ab Horto in sua aro:|matum historia". [The isle of Zocotra, once called Dioscoriada. From here they export to us excellent aloe, which for this reason is called Zocotorina. The inhabitants call it Catecomar, the Turks, Persians and Arabs call it Cebar, the Spanish Acebar, and the Portuguese call it Azeure, according to Garcias ab Horto in his History of Spices]. ]. (From leading Ortelius scholar Marcel van den Broecke.)
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
Photos, descriptions, and estimates were prepared with the utmost care by a fully certified expert and appraiser. All items in this sale are guaranteed authentic.
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Jasper52 specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Jasper52 within 5 days of receiving the item.
Condition
Very good condition, a few small crack holes/tears, no real staining or soiling.
Buyer's Premium
- 15%
Ortelius: Presbiteri Iohannis (Prester John)
Estimate $800 - $900
6 bidders are watching this item.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in New York, US$20 shipping in the US
Payment
Accepts seamless payments through LiveAuctioneers
See More Items From This Jasper52 Seller
Auction Curated By
Maps Expert
Related Searches
TOP