Subject: Northwestern Italy
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
Miniature map of northern Italy oriented with north to the right and decorated with a strapwork title cartouche. The map is centered roughly on Milan and Lake Como and shows the Po River system quite well. 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) #7020:331.
Condition: B+
A nice impression with light toning, marginal soiling, and two small worm holes in the image.