Ptolemaic Map of North Africa (Tabula Aphricae II)

This is a framed, hand-colored antique map titled 'TABVLA APPHRICAE II', likely a copperplate engraving from a 16th-century edition of Claudius Ptolemy's 'Geographia'. The map depicts North Africa, specifically the region of modern-day Libya and surrounding areas, emphasizing the coastline and river systems. It features a trapezoidal border with degrees of latitude and longitude marked. The map is printed on laid paper with visible chain lines and a slightly irregular edge. Notable features include topographical representations of mountains using stylized 'sugar-loaf' illustrations and Latin inscriptions for various tribes and locations. The coloring is hand-applied, primarily using soft blues for water bodies and yellow ochre for the borders and land outlines. Condition issues include visible vertical and horizontal fold lines from its original insertion into an atlas, minor foxing throughout the paper, and slight waviness in the paper substrate. The craftsmanship reflects the Renaissance period of cartography, focusing on classical knowledge rediscovered during that era. It is presented within a light blue double mat and a dark frame, which appears to be a modern conservation mounting.

I have conducted a visual examination of the map titled 'TABVLA APPHRICAE II,' likely a copperplate engraving from a mid-16th-century edition of Ptolemy’s Geographia—possibly a Girolamo Ruscelli or Giacomo Gastaldi edition. The map displays the characteristic trapezoidal projection of the period, with hand-applied pigments and Latin typography consistent with Renaissance-era printing. The depiction of Libya and North Africa is a classic example of cartographic interest during the rediscovery of Claudius Ptolemy’s works. The condition is fair to good; while the paper shows minor foxing and prominent centrefolds common for atlas-bound sheets, the coloring appears to be later addition rather than contemporaneous. The modern conservation framing adds aesthetic value but obscures the verso, preventing a full assessment of watermark or potential text markings that would confirm a specific edition year. Market demand for Ptolemaic maps remains steady, though North African regional maps typically command lower prices than world maps or European regions from the same series. Recent auction comparables for Ruscelli-sized plates range between $350 and $750 depending on the vibrancy of coloring and paper integrity. Limitations: This evaluation is based on digital images alone. A definitive authentication requires physical inspection to verify the paper's watermark and tactile qualities of the ink Impression. Scientific testing of the pigments and an examination of the paper's verso (outside of the frame) would be necessary to distinguish between an original 16th-century strike and a high-quality 19th-century facsimile. For full provenance, documentation tracing its history through previous collections is recommended.