Malta, Gozo, Dapper/Van Meurs, 1668, Melite Insula vulgo Malta

Large, very searched for, copper engraved map of the island of Malta with beautiful title cartouche and multiple ships. The map has fine detail of the topography, settlements and fortifications. Neptune and his entourage with two crosses of the Knights of Malta surround the large title cartouche. Ships and fishing boats surround the island, including a vignette of a sea battle at upper left. Based on Blaeu's famous map.

Published in 1668 by Jacob van Meurs in Amsterdam in Olfert Dapper´s "Naukeurige Beschrijvingen der Afrikaensche gewesten en Naukeurige beschrijvinge der Afrikaensche Eylanden", popularly known as ´Description of Africa´.

Olfert Dapper’s ‘Description of Africa’ was an ethnographic book which offered a detailed description of the parts of Africa known to Europeans in the mid-seventeenth century. Despite the work being regarded as one of the most important and detailed seventeenth-century publications on Africa, Dapper himself never actually visited the continent. Instead, he relied on the reports of Jesuit missionaries and Dutch explorers.

Very good condition. Narrow lateral margins, as published. Very nice hand coloring.

Image 27,5x36,5cm, page 31,5x37cm