[Italy. Lago d'Averno] "Vera deliniatio Lacus Aniani"

Handcol. etched double-p. plate, 32.5 x 47 cm, incorporating 2 central oval views flanked by extensive, beautifully engr. legends in cartouches and rich dec. of flowers and fruits, Latin text verso. From Braun & Hogenberg, ca. 1600. Amazing plate, the upper view showing Abraham Ortelius and Joris Hoefnagels standing at the rim of the crater lake and discussing the view. The site was associated with death by the ancient Greeks, whose name for the lake meant "without birds", because of the myth that birds who flew above the water fell dead from the sky. The Greeks and Romans also assumed that there was an entrance to the Underworld here. 2 repaired tears (1 near central vertical fold reopened) in lower margin, oblique fold, sellotape on upper blank margin verso and some other sm. defects. Added: 1 other handcol. double-p. plate from the same work (in poor condition).

(total 2)