Ortelius, Epitome du theatre du monde, Antwerp, 1588, later calf

Abraham Ortelius

Epitome du theatre du monde. Antwerp: Christopher Plantin for Philippe Galle, 1588

oblong 8vo (108 x 148mm.), woodcut Plantin device on title-page, woodcut initials, 94 engraved maps, a few early annotations, eighteenth-century mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments, occasional light foxing or staining, binding slightly rubbed

Third edition of this charming reduced format Ortelius atlas, and the first of several commissioned from Plantin by Philippe Galle. Galle produced new engravings which gradually supplanted the older ones as printing went on, so most copies have a mix of old and new maps. This copy seems to have more of the replacement maps and is therefore a later state of this edition.

LITERATURE:

Koeman 332.01; Voet 1833

PROVENANCE:

"... Des Barreaux", signature on title-page