[World map. Ruscelli] "Orbis descriptio"

Engraved map by Ruscelli, c. 1561, 18.5 x 25.5 cm. (engraved part, leaf 23 x 30.5 cm.), with Latin text "Universalis descriptionis nova Tabula" and paginated "2" on the reverse of the sphere with both Americas (other half blank).

Good impression with ink dot scum, with minor defects such as small (thumbtack) holes in margin, mild creasing and staining. With middle fold as issued (reinforced on reverse). Shirley 110. The map was first published in Venice in 1561, in Ruscelli's adapted reissue of Gastaldi's world map for Ptolemaeus' Geographia. Various reissues followed. It is the first world map with two hemispheres to appear in an atlas. Our copy was visibly printed with a larger copperplate provided with two engravings, afterwards that leaf was cut in half (therefore no edge at the top). This indicates an early edition, before the copperplate itself was split in half.