"Schlavoniae, Croatiae, Carniae, Istriae, Bosniae, Finitimarumque Regionum Nova Descriptio, Auctore Augustino Hirsuogelio", Ortelius, Abraham

This is one of the earliest modern maps of the Balkans, covering present-day Slovenia and part of Croatia. It is based on the cartography of Augustus Hirschvogel who drew on the work of Lazarus, Ziegler, and Apian. There is good detail throughout, with villages, cities, rivers, and forests. An unusual compass rose, banner title across bottom, and a finely rendered galley ship in the Adriatic Sea make this an interesting composition. Second state, with Latin text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #145.2.

Condition: B+

A dark impression with full contemporary color on a sheet with an eagle watermark, some printer's ink residue, light toning, a few small wormholes along the centerfold, and marginal soiling. The green pigment has browned, but the paper is still supple.