Map of Cyprus, 1st International Congress of Cypriot Studies, Republic of Cyprus

Map of Cyprus, 1st International Congress of Cypriot Studies, Republic of Cyprus

Postage stamps--Cyprus--History

Γραμματόσημα--Κύπρος--Ιστορία

The earliest maps of Cyprus were in manuscript form and belong to the Lusignan and Venetian periods in the history of the island. One very rare map from this period depicts the walls of Nicosia during Lusignan rule. Although the first printed map of the island appeared in 1480 A.D. it was not until the 16th century that printed maps of Cyprus began to circulate. In 1570 Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) published his atlas entitled ""Theatrum Orbis Terranum"" (Theatre of the World) in which over the years he published three maps of Cyprus dated, 1573, 1590 and 1598. The map on the 50 mils stamp is from the atlas of Willem Janszoon Blaue (1571-1616) who apart from being a globe maker and a mapmaker, was also a specialist in maritime cartography. This map of his is based on the 1573 map of Abraham Ortelius but with some corrections. In the top center the Lusignan coat-of-arms is depicted and in the top left corner that of the Ottoman Empire. In the lower right corner Venus is reclining on a shell led by two swans towards Paphos while Eros tries to pierce her with his arrow. The map was printed in Amsterdam in 1635 from a copper engraving.(Extract from: Sweet Land of Cyprus, The European Cartography of Cyprus 15th-19th century) The Body of Cypriot Studies, acknowledging the importance of the popular theatre of Karaghiozis, which for many generations transmitted concurrently ideas and approaches to life, collected many of his figurines for the Popular Museum of Arts where they are preserved as part of the traditional culture of Cyprus. The relevant collection of the Museum includes figurines made by Christodoulos Pafios and Nicos Ioannou. (Kypros Chrysanthis, President - Body of Cyprus Studies)

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Cyprus Post, Republic of Cyprus

Κυπριακά Ταχυδρομεία, Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία

Library of Cyprus University of Technology

Digital Heritage Research Lab of Cyprus University of Technology

7th April 1969

Designer: A. Tassos

Απαγορεύεται η δημοσίευση ή αναπαραγωγή, ηλεκτρονική ή άλλη χωρίς τη γραπτή συγκατάθεση του δημιουργού.

www.cypruspost.gov.cy

TIFF

EL, EN

Image

1969-MAP-50M

35.160417, 33.346556

Aspioti - Elka, Athens