This rare and magnificent miniature atlas was produced by Vrients, who acquired the plates of the Ortelius pocket atlas from Philip Galle between 1598 and 1601. It contains a total of 123 maps including two new plates (a celestial and a double hemisphere world), which were added by Vrients. Each map has its corresponding description in French on verso. The beautifully engraved title page is highlighted by a vignette of a globe, and is followed by a spectacular, coat of arms on its verso. Seven pages of dedications are followed by the new celestial and double hemisphere world maps and a view of the Escorial Palace, which faces a poem celebrating Phillip II of Spain. Many of the maps have distance scales and lines of longitude and latitude drawn by hand in brown ink, and most of the maps have very old, partial outline coloring. Complete. Bound in original vellum covered boards with a Maltese cross neatly scored onto front cover, and a paper pastedown title on spine.

References: King (2nd ed.) pp. 60-61 and 88.

Condition: A

Binding and signatures still very tight and spine is sound. Text and maps with occasional soil and light damp stains. Map of Biturgium with a small hole at center. Many pages dog-eared, but not affecting images. Several old ink notations and signatures inside front cover and on title page. Original vellum covers are cracking and have some soiling. Paper pastedowns are also cracked and peeling back.