Catalog Archive
Auction 133, Lot 367

"Septentrionalium Regionum Descrip.", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Arctic and Scandinavia

Period: 1579 (published)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19 x 14 inches
48.3 x 35.6 cm
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Ortelius based this influential map on the work of earlier authorities including Mercator, Zeno and Magnus. Of particular interest are the mythical islands of Brasil, Frisland, Drogeo, Icaria, and St. Brendan. Part of Mercator's imaginary polar continent is depicted with a note that it is inhabited by pigmies. Iceland (Islant, Thule) is basically unchanged from Mercator´s map of Europe from 1554 with the shape originated by Zeno. Greenland is separated from Europe by a wide sea and a portion of North America appears in the upper left corner with the name Estotilant. The map is adorned with a variety of very inventive creatures including a half-man, half-sea creature playing a lute. Latin text on verso.

References: Burden #40; Ginsberg #24, state 2; Van den Broecke #160.

Condition: A

Estimate: $2,300 - $2,750

Sold for: $2,200

Closed on 9/1/2010

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