Ortelius | Theatrum orbis terrarum [with Parergon and Nomenclator], 1584, 3 parts in 1 vol., contemporary calf rebacked

The Property of Sir Brooke Boothby, 15th Bt., removed from Fonmon Castle, Glamorgan

Abraham Ortelius

Theatrum orbis terrarum [with Parergon and Nomenclator]. Antwerp: Christopher Plantin, 1584

3 parts in one volume, folio (404 x 276mm.), engraved title-page, Catalogus auctorum with 134 names, 108 (of 112) engraved maps, each hand-coloured, contemporary calf, red edges, lacking portrait and 4 maps ("Zelandicum Insularum", "Hollandiae Antiquorum", "Turingiae/Misniae ete Lusatiae", and "Palestinae"), engraved architectural title laid down, some repairs and loss, restoration, some maps cut to neatline or more, rebacked (with date 1584 on spine), extremities rubbed

Fifth Latin edition printed by Plantin. The Theatrum is widely recognised as the first modern atlas, which came to shape the future of cartography. "Shape and contents set the standards for later atlases, when the centre of the map-trade moved from Antwerp to Amsterdam. The characteristic feature of the Theatrum is, that it consists of two elements, forming part of a unitary whole: text and maps. This concept for a "Theatre of the world" was followed through the 17th century. Before Ortelius no one had done this" (Koeman). The appended Catalogus auctorum is a unique source of names of contemporary cartographers, some of whom would otherwise have remained obscure.

LITERATURE:

[Koeman III Ort.21]

PROVENANCE:

"Oliver Henry Jones, Fonman Castle" (1846-1917): ownership inscription