Copperplate engraving, impression on laid paper with watermark, executed and signed in plate at right "Joannes Jansonius", hand-painted, mm 458x542 (engraved). Rare separately published paper. Specimen of state III on III, according to Gunter Schilder, who in volume VI of his "Monumenta Cartographica Neederlandica", states that there are three variants with different dates: the first, dated 1628 appeared in Jansson's Appendix Atlantis Maioris in 1630 and then again in 1638; the state dated 1640 appeared in the 1642 edition, while the one dated 1659 seems to have been published separately and included only in a few copies of the atlas. Good overall condition, trimmed flush with frame at top and with top margin added; restored central fold at bottom, reinforcement on verso. One of the most charming, decorative and rare maps of the peninsula with a rich ornamental border directly derived from that of Visscher, who published it around 1625 (See Schilder, Monumenta Cartographica Neederlandica, VI, no. 94), and was immediately followed by the major cartographers of the Netherlands his competitors as usual, including Janssonius. Italy, derived from the Maginian prototype, is surrounded by views of cities and regional customs, interspersed with coats of arms: above from left. Rome, Naples, Venice, arms of the king of Spain, Florence, Genoa, Verona; at the bottom Parma, Siena, Solfatara di Pozzuoli, papal arms, antro della sibilla, Pozzuoli, Velletri; from the top left in the column above, arms of the kingdom of Naples, the Pope, Neapolitan men and women, arms of the Venetian republic, Venetian nobility, Florentine nobility; on the right col. the Venetian Doge, Roman nobility, Milanese nobility, Genoese commoners are depicted. These costumes are mostly derived from the iconography of Cesare Vecellio's famous work 'Habiti antichi et moderni di tutto il mondo' (Ancient and Modern Habits of the World) published at the end of the 16th century. The map is further enriched by sailing ships, sea monsters (engraved in reverse to Visscher) and an allegorical cartouche with a queen representing Italy, river gods and Romulus and Remus suckled by the she-wolf. Under the cartouche appears a dedication to the Republic of Venice. Jan Janssonius (also known as Johann or Jan Jansson or Janszoon) (1588-1664) was a famous geographer and publisher of the 17th century, when the Dutch dominated map publishing in Europe. Born in Arnhem, Jan got into the trade thanks to his father, also a bookseller and publisher. In 1612, Jan married the daughter of Jodocus Hondius, also a prominent cartographer and map seller. The first maps by Janssonius date back to 1616. In the 1630s, Janssonius collaborated with his brother-in-law Henricus Hondius. Their most successful venture was the re-edition of the Mercator-Hondius atlas. Jodocus Hondius had purchased the plates of Mercator's atlas, first published in 1595, and added 36 maps to it. After the death of Jodocus Hondius in 1612, his son Henricus took over the publication and Janssonius joined the venture in 1633. Eventually, the atlas was renamed Atlas Novus and then Atlas Major, when it had reached eleven volumes. Janssonius is also known for his volume of maps of the English counties, published in 1646. When Janssonius died in Amsterdam in 1664 his son-in-law, Johannes van Waesbergen, took over the business. Eventually, many plates were sold to Gerard Valck and Pieter Schenk, who added their names and continued to reprint the maps. Schilder mentions 6 specimens in public and private collections in his census. Schilder, vol. VI, pp. 384-385, no. 95.3; Not in Borri.