Angliae, Scotiae, et Hiberniae, sive Britannica Insularum Descriptio. Double-page Map of England, Scotland and Ireland, with Royal Crest in upper right corner. Hand-Colored by a later hand.

np: [c. 1590].

Price: $750.00


About the item

Image area 19 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches in 28 x 23 inch mat. Single crease down center, with one 1/2 inch spot worn through, otherwise a nice handsome map.

Item #37978

Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) was a Flemish geographer of German origin. His major work, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (1570, with later revisions and addenda) was the first modern atlas. It was based on contemporary charts and maps, and contained a collection of plates engraved by Franz Hagenberg in a uniform size and format. The Theatrum preceded the first Atlas of Ortelius' good friend Gerardus Mercator. In fact, popular and sentimental legend has it that Mercator delayed publication of his own work so that his younger friend's would appear first. although this simply is not true (Mercator wasn't ready), the legendary cartographer did compliment Ortelius for the "care and elegance" he put into his "Theatrum."