Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598): 'Presbiteri Johannis, sive, Abessinorum Imperii descriptio', hand-coloured copper engraving, [1598]

Work: ca. 44 x 37,2 cm 

Paper: ca. 45,5 x 38,7 cm 

Frame: 68,5 x 60,5 cm 

A 16th-C. map of the African continent depicting the famous Kingdom of Prester John 'Pape Jan' along with much of eastern and central Africa, including the two Ptolemaic lakes, the supposed source for the Nile River.

Ref.:

- Van den Broecke, 175.

- Norwich, 11.

- Koeman III, map 8720:31.

Prov.:

- Ex-collection, The Parker Gallery, London.