Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 565

"Polonia", Ortelius/Vrients

Subject: Eastern Europe, Poland

Period: 1601 (published)

Publication: Epitome Theatri Orteliani

Color: Hand Color

Size:
4.3 x 3.1 inches
10.9 x 7.9 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Charming miniature map covering all of Poland plus extending into Russia in the north and to the Black Sea in the south. Decorated with a strapwork title cartouche, a simple distance scale, and stippled seas. Latin text on verso.

This map was published in Filips Galle's series of Epitome, which first appeared in 1588. Galle was unimpressed with the maps in the Spieghel der Wereld, and therefore gradually replaced nearly all of them through the various editions of his Epitome. The new maps had simple double-lined borders and were widely copied by others. The plates were acquired by Jan Baptist Vrients circa 1600, who published three more editions in 1601 and 1602, retouching some of the plates and replacing a few more. By the time Vrients' 1601 edition was published, only 10 of the original maps remained.

References: King (2nd Ed.) pp. 64-65 & 88-89; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #1900:332.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with minor toning and marginal soiling.

Estimate: $200 - $230

Sold for: $150

Closed on 9/13/2017

Archived