Catalog Archive
Auction 165, Lot 441

Ortelius' First Map of Ireland

"Eryn. Hiberniae, Britannicae Insulae, Nova Descriptio. Irlandt", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Ireland

Period: 1598 (published)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.9 x 13.9 inches
48 x 35.3 cm
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This exceptional map was based on Mercator's 1564 wall map of the British Isles and is presented with west oriented to the top. This is the first map of Ireland to include any geographic details; its predecessors being crudely drawn Italian maps. It is divided into counties and shows towns, rivers, lakes, forests, coastal islands and a host of other details. There are several Latin annotations throughout the map. The map is typical of Ortelius' refined, yet ebullient style with bold strapwork title and scale cartouches and a pair of ships in the stormy sea off the northern coastline. French text on verso.

References: Law, pp. 6-9; Van den Broecke #22.3.

Condition: A

A sharp impression on a clean, bright sheet bearing the horn watermark commonly found on Ortelius maps. There are a couple of small worm holes in the image at top that have been professionally infilled, and a manuscript page number is below the neatline.

Estimate: $1,500 - $1,800

Sold for: $900

Closed on 11/15/2017

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