Catalog Archive
Auction 164, Lot 636

"Alexandri Magni Macedonis Expeditio", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Middle East & Central Asia

Period: 1595 (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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Very decorative map showing the conquests of Alexander the Great in the Middle East and Persia, extending to the Indus. The large inset of Iovis Ammonis Oraculum shows the oracle of Jupiter Amman, supposedly situated in present-day Libya, where Alexander went to ask what would be the result of his expedition. Embellished with fancy cartouches, ships, and a spouting sea monster and beautifully engraved with full stippled seas. This is the first state of the map, with Latin text on verso and published in 1595, the first year that this map was included in the Theatrum.

References: Van den Broecke #222.

Condition: A

A sharp, early impression with full original color on paper with Ortelius' common crossed arrows watermark. There is some color offsetting in the Arabian Sea, but otherwise this is a very clean and crisp example.

Estimate: $1,200 - $1,500

Sold for: $600

Closed on 9/13/2017

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