"Geographia Sacra", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Ancient World
Period: 1598 (dated)
Publication: Theatri Orbis Terrarum Parergon
Color: Hand Color
Size: 13.8 x 18.8

This map is based on the nearly identical map of the same title by Ortelius. It depicts the world known to the ancients and is based on the Old and New Testament, following the translation of the Septuaginata. Inset into the map is a small (4 x 2.5") modern world map on an oval projection. The sheet is decorated with a cartouche flanked by geographers and a scale of miles with two cherubs. The cartouche contains text describing Ophir, the mythical land where Solomon got the gold to build his famous temple in Jerusalem. The world map shows the mythical Ophir in four possible locations; Southeast Asia, South Africa, the West Indies and South America. Latin text on verso, published in 1624.

References: Van den Broecke #179.
Condition: B+
A crisp impression on a clean, bright sheet with minor show-through of text on verso and a printer's crease at top. There are professional repairs along the centerfold to several separations, a few small worm holes, and a large worm track within the modern world map at bottom with the image skillfully replaced in facsimile.