ORTELIUS, Abraham Epitome Theatri Orteliani, praecipuarum orbis regionum delineationes [...] contine

ORTELIUS, Abraham Epitome Theatri Orteliani, praecipuarum orbis regionum delineationes [...] continens. Antwerp J.B. Vrients 1601 Small oblong 8vo: [8]-110-[3]-13-[1] ff. (A7 with view of Escorial loosely inserted from another copy, lacking final blank, toned, some soiling, title mounted and cut at bottom with loss of last line of imprint, black top margin of final quire sl. gnawed but not touching plates or text, pencil scribbling or staining on ff. 34r, 59r, R7r-v). Contemp. vellum (soiled, old vellum repairs to edges). Latin pocket-size atlas of Ortelius' "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" for the international market intended as a cheaper option for travellers and students. After the 1st ed. of the "Epitome" in 1588, Philips Galle whose "Speculum Orbis Terrarum" had not been very successful due to its inelegant engraving, gradually started replacing the copperplates. With only 10 old maps left, the majority of the maps in the improved 1601 edition belong to these newly engraved maps. After the death of Cornelis de Jode (1568-1600), Vrients bought the copperplates. Engr. allegorical arms of Albert and Isabella, the governors of the Spanish Netherlands, on verso of title. The 126 maps by Galle include 1 sm. world map on title, 2 globes (terrestrial and celestial), 1 world map, 4 maps of continents and 118 of countries and regions, incl. China, India, Japan, Iceland, etc. Ref. Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici III.76, Ort. 58. - van der Krogt IIIA [332:13]. Prov. Old name on title. Blind stamp partly erased.

Galle, Philips