Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598)

LH 0196

World and 4 continents

For one of the earliest editions of Abraham Ortelius' atlas 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'.

Antwerp 1571.

Outstanding examples for the beautiful art of map-making during the Renaissance period, in a perfect condition.

Map of the World:

"Typus Orbis Terrarum." - "Quid ei potest videri magnum in rebus humanis, cui aeternitas omnis, totiusque mundi nota sit magnitudo. Cicero:" - "Cum Privilegio" - "Franciscus Hogenbergus sculpsit"

First state of the decorative world map for the Ortelius' atlas 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'. Map with an oval circumference, surrounded by clouds, with a title cartouche above and a quotation from Circero below. Encouraged by Mercator, Ortelius assembled his map from the best available up-to-date maps, especially from Mercator's large world map which had been published 1569. Verso with Latin text. Engraved by Frans Hogenberg (1535-1590). Mercator's own world map for an atlas was made and published serveral years later, 1587, by his son Sohn Rumold (see LH 0296).

Coloured copper engraving, engraved by Frans Hogenberg, Antwerp 1571, 34 x 50 cm.

Very nice and clean item in a perfect condition, printed on strong paper.

Ref.: Shirley 122/1; van den Broecke 1.1

Map of the World: sold

Europe:

"Europae" - "Cum privilegio"

First state of the map Europe for the Ortelius' atlas 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'. After Mercator's map of Europe from 1554 and his world map from 1569. Verso with Latin text.

Coloured copper engraving, Antwerp 1571, 34,5 x 46,4 cm.

Very nice and clean item with broad margins. Uppermost centrefold a little bit open, otherwise perfect condition.

Ref.: van den Broecke 4.1

Europe: sold

Asia:

"Asiae nova descriptio." - "Cum privilegio."

First state of the map of Asia for the Ortelius' atlas 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'. After his own large map of Asia from 1567 which he assembled after Gastaldi (c1500-1565) and Abulfeda (1273-1331). Verso with Latin text.

Coloured copper engraving, Antwerp 1571, 37,5 x 50 cm.

Very nice and clean item in a perfect condition, printed on strong paper.

Ref.: van den Broecke 6.1

Asia: € 2.400,-

Africa:

"Africam Graeci Libyam App. / Africae Tabula Nova / Edita Antverpiae 1570." - "Cum Privilegio"

First state of the map of Africa for the Ortelius' atlas 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'. With a large and decorative title cartouche, with sea monsters in the Atlantic and with a sea battle at the lower right part. After Gastaldi's map of Africa from 1564 and Mercator's world map from 1569. Verso with Latin text.

Coloured copper engraving, Antwerp 1571, 37,5 x 50,5 cm.

Very nice and clean item, printed on strong paper. With a few, tiny holes at centrefold, otherwise perfect condition.

Ref.: van den Broecke 8.1

Africa: € 2.350,-

America:

"Americae sive novi orbis, nova descriptio." - "Cum Privilegio."

Early state of the map of America for the Ortelius' atlas 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'. Decorated with a large title cartouche, sea monsters and sailing boats. After Mercator's world map from 1569. Verso with Latin text, the second text line starts with 'dinem' (compare van den Broecke p 49).

Coloured copper engraving, Antwerp 1571, 37 x 51 cm.

Very nice and clean item in a perfect condition, printed on strong paper.

Ref.: van den Broecke 9.2

America: € 8.200,-

Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598)

Cartographer and publisher in Antwerp. 1570 he edited the first modern atlas with maps in a uniform format. His 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' was published in several revised and enlarged editions and in different languages until 1612.

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Kunstantiquariat Monika Schmidt • Munich • Germany • www.maps-n-views.com