{"product_id":"old-upside-down-map-of-africa-by-ramusio-1554","title":"Old Upside Down Map of Africa by Ramusio, 1554","description":"\u003cp\u003eDiscover the allure of exploration with the \"Africa Prima Tavola,\" a captivating map crafted by the esteemed Venetian cartographer Giovanni Battista Ramusio in 1554. This remarkable piece is one of the earliest printed maps of Africa, offering a unique upside-down presentation of the continent. Drawing from the rich accounts of Arab geographers and the daring voyages of Portuguese explorers, Ramusio's map provides a window into the 16th-century understanding of Africa's vast and diverse landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRamusio, who served as Secretary to the Council of Ten in Venice for over four decades, was a pivotal figure in the dissemination of geographical knowledge during the Renaissance. His dedication to compiling reports from various sources is evident in this map, which was part of his influential work \"Della Navigationi et Viaggi.\" The map not only reflects the geographical knowledge of the time but also highlights the adventurous spirit of exploration that defined the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe map's design is both intriguing and visually striking, with its inverted orientation challenging conventional perspectives. The detailed engravings depict mountain ranges, bodies of water, and a myriad of place names, offering a rich tapestry of the African continent as understood in the mid-16th century. The inclusion of ships and sea creatures in the surrounding oceans adds a touch of whimsy and highlights the maritime exploration that was central to the era's discoveries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically significant, the \"Africa Prima Tavola\" was created after the original woodcut map was destroyed in 1557, necessitating this exquisite engraved version for subsequent editions of Ramusio's work. It stands as a testament to the enduring quest for knowledge and the desire to chart the unknown, bridging the gap between ancient geographical theories and the burgeoning age of exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe map also carries the influence of Joannes Leo Africanus, whose writings on African geography were published by Ramusio and significantly shaped European perceptions of the continent. This map is not merely a representation of land and sea; it is a narrative of discovery, cultural exchange, and the relentless human curiosity that drives us to explore beyond the horizon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCountries and regions on this map\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContinents:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfrica\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegions\/Countries:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGuinea\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEthiopia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArabia Deserta\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEgypt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVarious regions with historical names, such as \"Regno di Nubia,\" \"Barbaria,\" and others.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBodies of Water:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMare Oceano (Ocean)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTropico di Cancro (Tropic of Cancer)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTropico di Capricornio (Tropic of Capricorn)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMountain Ranges:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVarious unnamed mountain ranges depicted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips and sea creatures in the ocean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnnotations:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHistorical notes and place names throughout the map.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eName of the Map:\u003c\/strong\u003e Africa Prima Tavola\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate Created:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1554\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMapmaker\/Publisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Giovanni Battista Ramusio\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThemes and Topics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUpside Down Presentation:\u003c\/strong\u003e The map presents Africa upside down, a unique design choice for the period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSources:\u003c\/strong\u003e Based on Arab geographical reports and Portuguese voyages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignificance:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of the earliest printed maps of Africa, following the more rudimentary map by Munster in 1540.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Significance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication:\u003c\/strong\u003e Appeared in the second edition of Ramusio's \"Della Navigationi et Viaggi\" in 1554.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDestruction and Re-engraving:\u003c\/strong\u003e The original woodcut map was destroyed in 1557, necessitating this engraved version for later editions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Figures:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeo Africanus:\u003c\/strong\u003e His geographical work was published by Ramusio, influencing European knowledge of Africa.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 70in (180cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThe model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex\/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349296231,"sku":"jru1792567038111","price":27.45,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349328999,"sku":"dmg1792567038112","price":97.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x16in (30x40cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349361767,"sku":"fxa1792567038113","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349394535,"sku":"awh1792567038114","price":33.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349427303,"sku":"zqy1792567038115","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A3 (297x420mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349460071,"sku":"mev1792567038116","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349492839,"sku":"wip1792567038117","price":50.92,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349525607,"sku":"qfv1792567038118","price":159.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"16x20in (40x50cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349558375,"sku":"xjs1792567038119","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349591143,"sku":"bcp1792567038120","price":48.19,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349623911,"sku":"vnk1792567038121","price":162.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"18x24in (45x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349656679,"sku":"iuk1792567038122","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349689447,"sku":"ryb1792567038123","price":63.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349722215,"sku":"rwg1792567038124","price":160.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A2 (420x594mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349754983,"sku":"jwe1792567038125","price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349787751,"sku":"txz1792567038126","price":69.35,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349820519,"sku":"rqh1792567038127","price":262.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"20x28in (50x70cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349853287,"sku":"vvq1792567038128","price":295.65,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349886055,"sku":"ton1792567038129","price":77.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545349918823,"sku":"xvp1792567038130","price":264.65,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545349951591,"sku":"jiq1792567038131","price":276.25,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545349984359,"sku":"uic1792567038132","price":80.85,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350017127,"sku":"uwb1792567038133","price":284.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A1 (594x841mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350049895,"sku":"erc1792567038134","price":323.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545350082663,"sku":"cqf1792567038135","price":140.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350115431,"sku":"jyo1792567038136","price":332.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x40in (70x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350148199,"sku":"rlb1792567038137","price":416.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545350180967,"sku":"oqv1792567038138","price":120.6,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350213735,"sku":"len1792567038139","price":374.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"30x40in (75x100cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350246503,"sku":"akh1792567038140","price":332.8,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545350279271,"sku":"afm1792567038141","price":200.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350312039,"sku":"uts1792567038142","price":646.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"A0 (841x1189mm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350344807,"sku":"vya1792567038143","price":598.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545350377575,"sku":"njz1792567038144","price":288.35,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350410343,"sku":"qws1792567038145","price":770.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x50in (94x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350443111,"sku":"bmh1792567038146","price":810.3,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545350475879,"sku":"yrk1792567038147","price":376.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350508647,"sku":"mdq1792567038148","price":1155.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"45x60in (114x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350541415,"sku":"owc1792567038149","price":1260.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":50545350574183,"sku":"tfj1792567038150","price":493.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":50545350606951,"sku":"wlw1792567038151","price":1969.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"52x70in (132x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":50545350639719,"sku":"fgo1792567038152","price":1724.4,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0595\/7419\/0183\/files\/old-upside-down-map-of-africa-by-ramusio-1554_1.jpg?v=1792567048","url":"https:\/\/www.helqoria.com\/products\/old-upside-down-map-of-africa-by-ramusio-1554","provider":"Helqoria Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}