(Atlas) - NICOLOSI, Giovanni Battista.- Dell'... Lot 237

(Atlas) - NICOLOSI, Giovanni Battista.- Dell' Hercole e studio geografico di Gio. Battista Nicolosi. Roma, Appresso l' Autore, 1660. In-f° : [6 incl. frontispice] pp.; 22 copper engraved plates mounted on lvs, delicately coloured (restaurations, light marginal water stains). Modern binding : light brown calf, blindstamped ribbed spine with gilt title. Second volume of the FIRST EDITION of this groundbreaking Italian atlas with a WORLD MAP on two sheets in Nicolosi's globular projection, continental maps of Europe, Asia and Africa, and maps of the Roman Empire, Gaul, Italy and Spain. Especially interesting is the early representation of the Americas with maps of Mexico, Chili, Peru, Canada, California and the Caraibbean. Including a privilege by Pope Alexander VII, the imprimatur, and an extensive indication for the colouring. Frontispice showing Hercule and devise "Te fautore te duce". Inspired by Sanson's oeuvre, the Sicilian priest, theologian and cartographer worked eight years on this atlas ordered by "Propaganda fide" at the Vatican. In this work Nicolosi reinvented the projection of Al-Biruni. He was the first to depict the Rio Grande ("Rio escondido") discharging in the Gulf of Mexico. # Shirley 418; # Philips 467; # Tooley III-325; # Sabin 55258; # Biographie Universelle 30-562; # not in Wardington. Deuxième volume de l'édition originale de ce rarissime atlas fait sur commande du Vatican. Avec une mappemonde suivant une projection particulière inventé par l'auteur d'après les principes de Al-Biruni. Notre volume renferme quelques des premières représentations détaillées du continent américain (restaurations, qqs mouill., titre défraîchi). Plein veau moderne.