Catalog Archive
Auction 132, Lot 429

"Eryn. Hiberniae, Britannicae Insulae, Nova Descriptio. Irlandt", Ortelius, Abraham

Subject: Ireland

Period: 1592 (circa)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19 x 13.8 inches
48.3 x 35.1 cm
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This exceptional map is Ortelius' first map of Ireland. It was based on Mercator's 1564 wall map of the British Isles and is presented with west oriented to the top. This is the first map of Ireland to include any geographic details; its predecessors being crudely drawn Italian maps. It is divided into counties and shows towns, rivers, lakes, forests, coastal islands and a host of other details. There are several Latin annotations throughout the map. The map is typical of Ortelius' refined, yet ebullient style with bold strapwork title and scale cartouches and a pair of ships in the stormy sea off the northern coastline.

References: Law pp 6-9; Van den Broecke #22.

Condition: A+

Estimate: $1,300 - $1,800

Sold for: $2,000

Closed on 6/2/2010

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