Uncoloured sea chart displaying the northern European region surrounding Iceland from the first sea atlas of the entire world by Robert Dudley entitled “Arcano del mare” (Secrets of the Sea), first published in Florence in 1646-47. This landmark publication was the first sea atlas with all charts conforming to Mercator’s projection; displaying lines for latitude and longitude and information on prevailing winds and sea currents. This large chart, which is from the second edition of the atlas published in 1661, consists of two pages and was beautifully engraved by the Italian printmaker, Antonio Francesco Lucini. The chart is centred on Iceland with its geography based on an early 16th century survey by the Dutch explorer Joris Carolus and the Hekla volcano is shown erupting in the centre of the island. The mythical island of Frisland is shown in the bottom left of the chart with a surprising amount of detail for a place that doesn’t exist and the Faro Islands appear bottom right. Blank verso. Other than some minor staining and creasing to the corners of the top blank margins, the chart is a lovely example in excellent condition. 48 cm x 76 cm