This miniature version of Ortelius' important map of Southeast Asia shows how sketchy the available information was concerning the region. The East Indies are presented as a randomly scattered group of islands with Java and Borneo particularly misshapen. Beach pars, a presumed promontory of the great southern continent based on Marco Polo's account, protrudes into the bottom of the map. Japan is presented in its kite-shaped form, and in the upper right corner America makes an appearance with three unnamed cities. French text on verso. The first pocket version of Ortelius' Theatrum was published by Philippe Galle in 1577 as Spieghel der Werelt. Galle began a new edition with new plates, commonly known as the Epitome, in 1588. Galle's miniature atlas was quite popular, and was published in editions until 1602. From 1583 he gradually introduced a new set of maps, both adding to and replacing the originals. The plates were then passed to Jan B. Vrients, who retouched some of the plates and published the final editions of the Epitome in 1601 and 1602.

References: King (2nd Ed.) pp. 64-65 & 88-89; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #8400:331.

Condition: B+

A nice impression that is faint in the right border with light toning and marginal soiling.