Tavola Nuova di Sardigna et di Sicilia; Sardinia and Sicily de RUSCELLI, Giarlamo

Venice: Giarlamo Ruscelli. unbound. very good. Map. Uncolored copper engraving. 8.5" x 11.5". Shows some light toning at bottom margin. In very good condition.<br/> <br/> An early map of Sardinia and Sicily with text on verso. <br> <br> Girolamo Ruscelli (c. 1504-1566) was a Venetian editor, cartographer and physician known best for his revised publication of Ptolemy's "Geographia". Published posthumously, Ruscelli added about 37 new maps to his edition, largely based on the work of Gastaldi's 1548 expansion. Ruscelli is also believed to be associated with Alessio Piemontese, who many believe was in fact a pseudonym for Ruscelli. Piemontese wrote the popular book 'The Secrets of Alexis of Piedmont'. Alessio became known as the 'professor of secrets' who had dedicated his life to the hunt natural and technological secrets. Ruscelli, as Alessio, founded the 'Academy of Secrets' along with other humanists and noblemen, which became the first known experimental scientific society and led to other such groups, including Giambattista Della Porta's 'Accademia die Secreti'.<br/> <br/>