"Artois. Atrebatum Regionis Vera Descriptio", Ortelius, Abraham

This decorative map of Artois is the first of three maps of the province that Ortelius included in the Theatrum. The map is based on the manuscript map Jacques Surhon made in 1554. For security reasons it was not published until 1579, when Antwerp had been independent for a short time. The map is filled with extensive detail of the rivers, forests, cities, fortifications and villages, and is richly embellished with two large cartouches. This is the first state with a ship in the ocean. Latin text on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #72.

Condition: B+

A sharp impression on a bright sheet with the crossed arrows watermark commonly found on Ortelius maps. There are dampstains in the top corners of the sheet and some small mildew stains along the centerfold to the left of the title cartouche.