Catalog Archive
Auction 154, Lot 612

Elaborate Map of the Holy Land, Illustrating the Life of Abraham

"Abrahami Patriarchae Peregrinatio, et Vita", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Holy Land

Period: 1586 (dated)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.2 x 14.1 inches
46.2 x 35.8 cm
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Ortelius designed, and probably also engraved this beautiful Holy Land map. It details the wanderings and life of the Patriarch Abraham. The map is displayed as though on a banner hung on a wall; it shows Palestine and a portion of Egypt, inset with a small map of the Middle East from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates River. The imaginative design includes an elaborately engraved frame containing twenty-two scenes illustrating the life of Abraham, spanning his departure from Ur to his death. This is from the second plate, used from 1592-1624, with the hachuring within the medallion border running from upper left to lower right. From a Latin edition, published in 1592.

References: Laor #547; Van den Broecke #183.

Condition: B+

Full original color with light toning that is more pronounced along the centerfold and in the blank margins. There is a short centerfold separation in the bottom blank margin, remnants of hinge tape on verso, and a small hole at bottom left, well away from map image.

Estimate: $2,400 - $3,000

Sold for: $1,200

Closed on 9/16/2015

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