Red Sea – Arabia Map Mare Rubrum by Bertius, 1616

Miniature 17th-Century Atlas Map of the Red Sea and Arabian Coast

Description (English):
This finely engraved antique map titled Descriptio Maris Rubri shows the Red Sea, or "Mare Rubrum," historically also known as the Sea of Mecca. It originates from the 1616 Amsterdam edition of Tabulae Geographicae Contractae, published by Jodocus Hondius II and engraved by Petrus Bertius.

The map highlights the Arabian Peninsula's western coastline and the surrounding territories, historically crucial for Islamic pilgrimage routes and spice trade. It includes place names along both the Arabian and African shores, with a hand-colored outline typical of early 17th-century Dutch cartography. Latin text on the verso titled Descriptio Aegypti describes Egypt and its geographic context.

Cartographer:
Petrus Bertius (1565–1629), a Flemish cartographer, geographer, and theologian. Closely connected to major figures like Jodocus Hondius and Pieter van den Keere, Bertius left a lasting mark on European geographical literature.

Publisher:
Jodocus Hondius II, Amsterdam. Son of the famous Jodocus Hondius, he continued publishing compact atlases after his father's death in 1612, including this edition of Tabulae Geographicae Contractae.

Origin:
Descriptio Maris Rubri from Tabulae Geographicae Contractae, Amsterdam, 1616. Latin text verso: Descriptio Aegypti.

Size:
Sheet: 19 × 12 cm (7.5 × 5 inches)
Image: approx. 13.5 × 9.5 cm (5.25 × 3.75 inches)

Condition: Very good. Crisp copperplate engraving with hand coloring. Latin text on verso.

Always real antique maps - Always original - Never reproductions.