Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8

Ancient Course of the Ganges: A First Ptolemaic Map of India by Mercator, c.1584

$1,062.66
$1,328.3220% Off
£801.44
£1,001.8020% Off
€912
€1,14020% Off
CA$1,469.21
CA$1,836.5220% Off
A$1,645.77
A$2,057.2120% Off
CHF 864.42
CHF 1,080.5220% Off
MX$20,011.99
MX$25,014.9920% Off
NOK 10,946.33
NOK 13,682.9120% Off
SEK 10,391.01
SEK 12,988.7620% Off
DKK 6,942.74
DKK 8,678.4320% Off

About the Item

This remarkable map, titled "Asiae X Tab:", is a significant historical artifact that represents the convergence of knowledge and craftsmanship from two of the most esteemed figures in the history of geography and cartography. Created by Gerard Mercator and based on the geographical insights of Claudius Ptolemy, this map is part of the rare first issue published in Brussels in 1578. The map itself meticulously delineates the region between the Indus and Ganges rivers, an area of immense historical and geographical importance. It is an excellent representation of Ptolemy's second-century geographical data, which was fundamental in shaping the modern principles of mapmaking. Mercator, renowned for his precision and dedication to adhering closely to Ptolemy's original intentions, showcases this commitment through the detailed depiction of this significant Asian landscape. This edition stands out not only for its historical accuracy but also for its artistic execution. Gerard Mercator, who was also an innovator in the use of the italic hand for map lettering, first introduced this style in his "Literarum latinarum" in 1540. The use of italics in this map enhances its legibility and aesthetic appeal, which became a hallmark of the finest sixteenth and seventeenth-century Dutch maps, largely attributed to Mercator’s influence. The map measures 13 ½ x 18 inches and features fine hand coloring, which has been preserved in almost excellent condition alttough there some browning due to age. As a splendid example of the first issue from Mercator’s definitive edition of Ptolemy’s "Geographia", it not only serves as a testament to the rich history of geographical exploration but also stands as a beacon of the enduring legacy of its makers, shaping the future of cartographic design and precision. The map "Asiae X Tab:", focusing on the region between the Indus and Ganges rivers, highlights several areas and cities of historical and geographical importance that are likely of interest to scholars, historians, and collectors. Here are key locations depicted on the map: 1. **Indus River**: As one of the major rivers of Asia and a cradle of ancient civilizations like the Indus Valley Civilization, the Indus River holds significant historical importance. 2. **Ganges River**: Another crucial river not just for its cultural and religious significance in India, but also as a vital geographic feature in ancient and medieval maps. 3. **Delhi**: Although the specific medieval or ancient names might differ or its depiction may vary depending on the historical period of the map, Delhi has always been a significant urban center in northern India. 4. **Lahore**: Known historically for its wealth and strategic location, Lahore is another city likely to be depicted as a key site on this map. 5. **Multan**: As a major commercial center and a node in various trade routes, Multan holds historical significance that would likely be highlighted in a map of this era. 6. **Ujjain**: Historically significant for its role as a political and cultural hub in central India and as a location along ancient trade routes. 7. **Varanasi (Benares)**: One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and a major cultural and religious center in India, likely featured prominently on the map. 8. **Agra**: Known for its architectural marvels, even pre-dating the Mughal era, Agra would be a notable location on historical maps of this region. Each of these locations has a rich historical narrative that might be reflected in their depiction on the map, making them of particular interest to those studying the geographical and cultural history of South Asia.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 15.95 in (40.5 cm)Width: 20.08 in (51 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1584
  • Condition:
    Condition: good, given age. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Minor remains of water stains along the edges and a brownish hue overal. Vertical folding line as published. Please study scans carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-137751stDibs: LU3054341324632

More From This Seller

View All
1698 Mercator Ptolemaic Map of Asia East of the Ganges
Located in Langweer, NL
**Catalogue Description:** **Title:** Tab. XI. Asiae, comprehendens Indiam extra Gangem. **Description:** This is an exquisite Ptolemaic map depicting Asia east of the Ganges, ti...
Category

Antique 1680s Maps

Materials

Paper

Antique Map of India as Described It Was before the 5th Century, 1744
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'India, as described by all Authors before the fifth Century'. Detailed map of part of India, including Hyrcania, Parthia, Carmania, Gedorossii, Drangiana, Aria, M...
Category

Antique 18th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Mercator's Ptolemaic Map of the Holy Land, Cyprus and Syria, circa 1580
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Asiae IIII Tab'. Beautiful map of Mercator's Ptolemaic map of the Holy Land, Cyprus, Syria, etc. Originates from Mercator's 'Geograph...
Category

Antique 16th Century Maps

Materials

Paper

Old Map of the Mughal Empire, Persia in the West to Lake Chimay etc., ca.1685
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'L'Empire du Grand Mogol'. Old map of India and Central Asia. The map extends from Persia in the West to Lake Chimay and the Bay of Bengal...
Category

Antique 1680s Maps

Materials

Paper

Detailed Regional Map of the Gulf of Bengal and the Lower Ganges River, ca.1750
Located in Langweer, NL
Title of this original and rare antique map: Nouvelle Carte Du Royaume De Bengale Mapmaker: Jacques-Nicolas Bellin (1703-1772). He was among the most important mapmakers of the eighteenth century. In 1721, at only the age of 18, he was appointed Hydrographer to the French Navy. In August 1741, he became the first Ingénieur de la Marine of the Dépôt des cartes...
Category

Antique 1750s Maps

Materials

Paper

Map of Northern India & Surrounding Regions, incl Kabul, Candahar & Bhutan, 1710
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Magni Mogolis Imperium de Novo Correctum et Divisum Per F. de Witt Amstelodami.' Map of Northern India and surrounding regions. This includes Kabul and Candah...
Category

Antique 1710s Maps

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

1590 Mercator Map Entitled "France Picardie Champaigne, Ric.0001
Located in Norton, MA
Description: Published in Amsterdam by Mercator/Hondius ca. 1590. Ric.0001 Artists and Engravers: Map : 'France Picardie Champaigne cum regionibus adiacentibus'. (Map of the french provinces of Picardie and Champagne.) Copper engraved map of the french provinces of Picardie and Champagne, showing the cities of Caen, Paris, Melun, Auxerre, Verdun, etc. Copperplate engraving on verge type hand laid paper with watermark. Description: Published in Amsterdam by Mercator/Hondius ca. 1600.Artists and Engravers: Mercator was born in Rupelmonde in Flanders and studied in Louvain under Gemma Frisius, Dutch writer, astronomer and mathematician. The excellence of his work brought him the patronage of Charles V, but in spite of his favor with the Emperor he was caught up in the persecution of Lutheran protestants and charged with heresy, fortunately without serious consequences. No doubt the fear of further persecution influenced his move in 1552 to Duisburg, where he continued the production of maps, globes and instruments. Mercator's sons and grandsons, were all cartographers and made their contributions in various ways to his atlas. Rumold, in particular, was responsible for the complete edition in 1595. The map plates...
Category

Antique 16th Century Dutch Maps

Materials

Paper

Engraving Depicting 16th Century Map of Terra Sancta
Located in Buchanan, MI
Abraham Ortelius (Flemish, 1527-1598) Terra Sancta. Engraving depicting 16th century map of Terra Sancta. Site 15" x 19.5.
Category

Antique 18th Century and Earlier Maps

Materials

Paper

1592 Abraham Ortelius Map "Lorraine: Lotharingiae Nova Descripti, Ric.A005
Located in Norton, MA
1592 Abraham Ortelius map entitled "Lorraine: Lotharingiae Nova Descripti Ric.a005 Description: Ortelius is best known for producing the atlas from which this map comes from, "...
Category

Antique 16th Century Dutch Maps

Materials

Paper

1590 Ortelius Map of Calais and Vermandois, France and Vicinity Ric.a014
Located in Norton, MA
1590 Ortelius map of Calais and Vermandois, France and Vicinity Ric.a014 Two rare regional Abraham Ortelius maps on a single folio sheet. Left map, entitled Caletensium, depic...
Category

Antique 16th Century Dutch Maps

Materials

Paper

1594 Maurice Bouguereau Map of the Region Limoges, France, Ric0015
Located in Norton, MA
1594 Maurice Bouguereau map of the region Limoges, France, entitled "Totivs Lemovici et Confinium Pro Uinciarum Quantum ad Dioecefin Lemo Uicenfen Fpectant," Hand Colored Ric0015 Jean IV Le Clerc...
Category

Antique 16th Century Dutch Maps

Materials

Paper

1633 Map Entitled "Beauvaisis Comitatus Belova Cium, Ric.0002
Located in Norton, MA
1633 map entitled "Beauvaisis Comitatus Belova Cium," Hand Colored Ric.0002 Description: Cartographer : - Hondius, Henricus 1587-1638 Artists and Engravers:Jodocus Hondius, one of the most notable engravers of his time. He is known for his work in association with many of the cartographers and publishers prominent at the end of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth century. A native of Flanders, he grew up in Ghent, apprenticed as an instrument and globe maker and map engraver. In 1584, to escape the religious troubles sweeping the Low Countries at that time, he fled to London where he spent some years before finally settling in Amsterdam about 1593. In the London period he came into contact with the leading scientists and geographers of the day and engraved maps in The Mariner\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Mirrour, the English edition of Waghenaer\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Sea Atlas, as well as others with Pieter van den Keere, his brother-in-law. No doubt his temporary exile in London stood him in good stead, earning him an international reputation, for it could have been no accident that Speed chose Hondius to engrave the plates for the maps in The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine in the years between 1605 and 1610. In 1604 Hondius bought the plates of Mercator\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Atlas which, in spite of its excellence, had not competed successfully with the continuing demand for the Ortelius Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. To meet this competition Hondius added about 40 maps to Mercator\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s original number and from 1606 published enlarged editions in many languages, still under Mercator\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s name but with his own name as publisher. These atlases have become known as the Mercator/Hondius series. The following year the maps were reengraved in miniature form and issued as a pocket Atlas Minor. After the death of Jodocus Hondius the Elder in 1612, work on the two atlases, folio and miniature, was carried on by his widow and sons, Jodocus II and Henricus, and eventually in conjunction with Jan Jansson in Amsterdam. In all, from 1606 onwards, nearly 50 editions with increasing numbers of maps with texts in the main European languages were printed. Summaries of these issues are given under the entry for Gerard Mercator. Jodocus Hondius the Elder * 1588 Maps in The Mariner\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Mirrour (Waghenaer/Ashley) * 1590 World Map...
Category

Antique 17th Century Dutch Maps

Materials

Paper