This is probably the rarest antique atlas world map that has ever been published. Created around 1700 by Paolo Petrini in Naples, Italy, there are almost no copies of this map still in circulation. To buy the actual antique map would cost you more than £50,000.
This variant is even rarer than
the handcoloured version.
Back in the 1700s, our understanding of the world wasn't quite what it is today. California is an island! There's still no Antarctica (it won't be discovered until the 1800s), but the other continents are just about there: Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and North America.
The western coast of Australia has been discovered - but the eastern side remains unknown. This is also one of the first atlas maps to have an outline of New Zealand.
Taking a closer look at North America, you can see that things go a bit weird north of California, into where modern day Alaska would be. There's the mythical Strait of Anián, which was believed to mark the border between America and Asia.
Very little is known about Paolo Petrini, other than he published a very rare and beautiful atlas called Atlante Partenopeo between 1700 and 1718, from which this world map is from. There may only be 1 copy of this map in existence, so you are buying a pretty special print here.
This map looks best at larger sizes, but looks great at all sizes, from 12x16 inches (30x40cm) to 16x20 inches (40x50cm), 18x24 inches (45x60cm) and 24x36 inches (60x90cm). If you have the space for it, go for one of the largest maps. I can print this map up to 48x60 inches (120x150cm).
Around the edge of the map are quite stunning engravings of allegory, including depictions of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Mercury and Cassini, along with mythical and zodiac imagery. There's a lot going on!
This world map would make a perfect gift for someone who loves to travel or explore, or it would look great as wall art on your own walls! It's a beautiful piece of wall art that would make a good housewarming gift.
You can order the map itself, or you can order a framed version. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that really makes our maps pop out when on a wall. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame, or if you'd like me to frame one of the larger maps. We use super-clear
acrylic (perspex/acrylite) in our frames - it's less reflective than glass and better for transport.