Ortelius | Theatrum orbis terrarum, Antwerp, 1574, fourth Latin edition, contemporary calf rebacked

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

Abraham Ortelius

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Antwerp: Ant. Coppens van Diest, 1574

Fourth Latin edition, folio (426 x 296mm.), engraved architectural title, Catalogus auctorum with 103 names, 68 (only, of 70) plain engraved double-page maps, scrap of paper annotated in an early modern hand loosely inserted (titled "Eiaculationes" on recto, and with quotations in English from Psalms 118 and 119 on verso), early contemporary calf, rebacked (with date on spine "1570"), sprinkled edges, lacking two maps (no.50: "Insularum Aliquot Maris Mediterranei", and no.67: "Natoliae, Aegyptae, Carthaginis"), dampstaining at beginning, maps in second half of textblock with slight worming at inner margin

A tall copy, with plain maps but in good condition. See next lot for a copy of the fifth Latin edition printed by Plantin with hand-coloured maps.

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.12

PROVENANCE:

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