News | April 22, 2010

New Maps at Martayan Lan

We have just installed one of the largest and most beautiful city plans ever published - the Nolli of Rome , dating from 1748 - with a framed size of 7 1/2 by nearly 6 1/2 feet. It is the largest framed object we've yet to display here at Martayan Lan. But in addition to its breathtaking scale, the Nolli features the delicately atmospheric, ornamental engravings of Roman ruins by Piranesi. This Nolli alone is worth a visit to the gallery. Incidentally, Eno and Ralph, two of our very able employees here, had quite an adventure in getting the Nolli into our gallery - up six flights of stairs.

Also framed and now on view at the gallery are three extremely important, world maps that are part of a collection of 30 maps and atlases we are offering. The focus of the collection is early world maps. The three include the very earliest acquirable map to include any part of America - the Ruysch of 1507; the ultra rare, Drake broadside map - an exquisite c. 1595 engraving by Jodocus Hondius commemorating Drake's circumnavigation; and the striking, 1593 De Jode, double polar projection world map. These maps are not individually catalogued on our web site, as the collection they are a part of is being offered as a unit. However, a list of the contents of the collection and more details are available on request.

Another recently framed, large map now in the gallery, though not nearly as large as the Nolli, is a navigational world map by the great English astronomer, Edmund Halley, published c. 1702. On the attractively engraved map, Halley plotted the variations of compass readings from true north over large stretches of the earth's watery surface. Our example of this map is a very rare, early edition with text that explains its innovative features.

Now available, new copies of both volumes of Burden's authoritative books on the mapping of North America:

Vol. I, Maps from 1511 to 1670. $195

Vol. II, Maps from 1671-1700. $325

Also just in, a new shipment of our custom-made map magnifiers , all with handles of different exotic woods, a number of which we have not previously offered. Exclusively crafted for us by master woodworker, Leo Frilot, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Visit www.martayanlan.com for more information.