A 600-YEAR-OLD individual map of the island of Ireland features in a rare atlas which is expected to fetch up to £2.5million at auction in London this month.
Experts at Christie’s auction house, who are offering up the Portolan Atlas on November 19, believe the 15th century illustration within the manuscript is the oldest known map of Ireland on its own, rather than together with Britain.
Hand drawn on tanned sheepskin, the map is one of several which feature in the “extraordinary” atlas, which was made in Venice in 1468 by renowned Italian navigator and cartographer Grazioso Benincasa.
Christie’s maps expert Julian Wilson said the “highly important and intriguing map” was inscribed “Irlanda que Ibernia dicitur” (Ireland which is called Hibernia) and features more than 50 place names – among them Porto Rosso (Portrush), Limerich and Chorca.
See More: Christie’s Auction House, Map Of Ireland
