Aden, Arabiae Foelicis Emporium Celeberrimi Nominis

Title/Content of Map: Aden, Arabiae Foelicis Emporium Celeberrimi Nominis, quo ex India, Aethiopia
Date: 1572
Cartographer: Braun & Hogenberg
Material/Medium: Paper
Size: 19.5 x 14.25 inches
Provenance: Leen Helmik Jan 2004 Amsterdam - COA

TRANSLATION OF CARTOUCHE TEXT: Aden, famous centre of trade in Arabia, where merchants meet from India, Ethiopia and Persia. Adenis a magnificent town, well fortified due to its location and construction, famed for the beauty and number of its buildings, protected by ramparts and high mountains, on whose summits flaming torches show mariners the harbour. It was formerly a peninsula, but as a result of human industryis now completely surrounded by waters. The semicircular shape of theislandis easily recognizable; the mountains around the city are topped by fortified strongholds and the cityis lent an oriental character by its eye-catching red domes. Boats are being repaired on the shore, and the ships sailing past in the foreground also underline Aden's position as a controlling body in the Gulf. In the 13th century, according to Marco Polo, the city had a population of 80,000. With the shifting of the trade routes in the wake of the Portuguese discoveries, Aden went into an economic decline; in 1548 it was conquered for the Ottoman Empire by Piri Reis, the admiral of the Ottoman fleet. Adenis today a city in Yemen with 550,000 inhabitants. COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "All those travelling to Mecca come here, and as soon as a ship sails into the harbour, the sultan's soldiers arrive and inquire as to where they have come from, what goods they are carrying with them, how long they have been under sail and then confiscate the mast, the sails and the like. They do that so that the ships cannot leave without paying the toll." MOMBASA: The illustration shows a stereotypical view of a small town on anisland. While the architecture, with its tall towers and red roofs,is not very African, the palm trees are more typical of the local vegetation. The picture and the description suggest that little was known about Mombasa.The town was reached by the Portugese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498 and conquered by Portuguese troops under Francisco de Almeida in 1505. Mombasa lies on Mombasaisland off the east coast of Africa andis today Kenya's second-largest city. COMMENTARY BY BRAUN: "Mombasa was conquered by force by the Christians in the year 1505. For when Francisco de Almeida was sent to India by the King of Portugal to levy duties from the inhabitants, the Africans rebelled violently against him. As a consequence the Christians destroyed the town and burned it right down to the ground. The ruler escaped with his life, the other inhabitants were all killed."

This Auction is for the UNFRAMED map only! This item is currently custom framed with high quality wood and acid free materials. The map is set between two pieces of glass which serve a dual purpose, for conservation allowing it to be viewed, it also allows the verso on the backside of the map to be read. If you would like to purchase this map as itis conservation framed please message the auctioneers the additional cost is $390.00 Frame size 28.5w x 24.5h inches

Reserve: $600.00

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Condition Report: fine conditon