Subject: Greece
Period: 1590 (published)
Publication: Epitome du Theatre du Monde d'Abraham Ortelius
Color: Hand Color
Size:
4.3 x 3.1 inches
10.9 x 7.9 cm
A charming miniature map of Greece with its numerous surrounding islands, extending east to include Istanbul and a bit of the western coastline of Turkey. 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) #7800:331.
Condition: B+
A dark impression with light toning and marginal soiling.