A scarce map of Sri Lanka in full original colour.

DE RAM, Johannes.

Insula Ceilon et Madura Exactsissime delineata et nuperrime edita per R & J Ottens.
Amsterdam: R. & J. Ottens, c.1730. Very fine original colour. 510 x 590mm.

A colourful map of Sri Lanka with two illustrated cartouches: the title shows the inhabitants as rich merchants, with an elephant and camel; the scale features mer-people. The area coloured pink in the south-west of the island is marked 'Caneel Landen', marking where cinnamon, the greatest prize for spice merchants, grows.
This was one of the first large format terrestrial maps of the island (as opposed to a sea-chart), and was first published by de Ram, a timber merchant- turned-map publisher, c.1685, When he died in 1693 his widow married Jacob de la Feuille and continued the business until c.1711, when his plates were dispersed among other publishers including De Wit and the Ottens brothers.


Stock ID : 22572