JANSONNIUS, Johannes (1588 – 1664) – INSVLÆ MELITÆ Vulgò MALTE Nova et accurata Descriptio. – 1650 – SOLD

Description

JANSONNIUS, Johannes (1588 – 1664) – 1650c

Title of Map: INSVLÆ / MELITÆ / Vulgò / MALTE / Nova et accurata / Descriptio.

Engraver: Johannes Janssonius

Cartographer: Johannes Janssonius

Title: Atlantis majoris quinta pars

Publisher: Johannes Janssonius

Place: Amsterdam

Year: c 1650

Engraving size: 410 x 510mm

Printing method: copper engraving.

Description: Inset map of the main harbour, Valletta, the Three Cities and Manoel Island: 135 x 185 mm. Has its own scale bar.

A seventeenth-century map of Malta, showing the islands of Malta, Gozo and Camino. The map features elaborate cartouches, vignettes with naval battles and sea monsters, and an inset plan of Valletta’s Grand Harbour. The top left corner is occupied by a coat of arms, with symbols of the Order of Saint John: a “Pour La Foy” motto is flying at the top, with a duke’s coronet over a shield; a pendant with a golden Maltese cross forms a circle around the shield; two hands coming out of a cloud are holding swords flanking the shield with the white latin cross of SMOM. Insulae Melitae was first published in 1650 in Johannes Janssonius’ Novus Atlas Absolutissimus.