{"product_id":"1599-ptolemaic-map-of-france-tabula-europae-iii-sea-monster-sailing-ship","title":"1599 Ptolemaic Map of France – Tabula Europae III – Sea Monster \u0026 Sailing Ship","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn impressive original 16th-century copper-engraved map of ancient Gaul and the surrounding regions, published in Venice in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1599\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as part of the celebrated geographical tradition of Claudius Ptolemy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitled \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTabula Europae III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the map depicts much of modern-day France together with portions of the surrounding European landscape. Rivers, mountain ranges, cities, coastlines, and ancient regional names are rendered throughout the map, offering a fascinating Renaissance interpretation of Ptolemaic geography.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOf particular interest are the decorative elements within the Atlantic: a beautifully rendered \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esailing ship\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e appears off the northern coast, while a large \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esea creature or sea monster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e swims farther south. Such creatures are among the most captivating features of early European cartography and reflect a period when geographical knowledge, classical authorities, travelers' accounts, and artistic tradition intersected on the printed map.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe map comes from the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1599 Venice edition associated with Girolamo Ruscelli, Giuseppe Rosaccio, Giovanni Antonio Magini, and the geographical works of Ptolemy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It was produced by copper engraving and has been enhanced with attractive later hand coloring, including vivid blue seas and colored geographical and decorative details.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA wonderful piece for collectors of early cartography, Renaissance printing, maritime history, Ptolemy, or historical depictions of sea monsters and legendary creatures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetails:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Date: 1599\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Place of publication: Venice, Italy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Title: \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTabula Europae III\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Cartographic tradition: Claudius Ptolemy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Associated with: Ruscelli \/ Rosaccio \/ Magini\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Technique: Original copper engraving\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Color: Later hand coloring\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Subject: France \/ ancient Gaul and surrounding regions\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Decorative features: Sea monster and sailing ship\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Overall dimensions: Approximately 34 × 25 cm (13.4 × 9.8 in.)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e• Condition: Very good antique condition with expected signs of age; please examine all photographs carefully.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an authentic 16th-century printed map dating to 1599—not a modern reproduction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Divine Library","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62948113580113,"sku":null,"price":450.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0669\/0059\/0673\/files\/Image-2026-10-15T143711.737.jpg?v=1792089669","url":"https:\/\/thedivinelibrarystore.com\/products\/1599-ptolemaic-map-of-france-tabula-europae-iii-sea-monster-sailing-ship","provider":"The Divine Library","version":"1.0","type":"link"}