Elaborate Map of the Holy Land, Illustrating the Life of Abraham

"Abrahami Patriarchae Peregrinatio, et Vita", Ortelius, Abraham

Ortelius designed, and probably also engraved this beautiful Holy Land map. It details the wanderings and life of the Patriarch Abraham. The map is displayed as though on a banner hung on a wall; it shows Palestine and a portion of Egypt, inset with a small map of the Middle East from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates River. The imaginative design includes an elaborately engraved frame containing twenty-two scenes illustrating the life of Abraham, spanning his departure from Ur to his death. Latin text on verso, with no page number or signature printed on plate. This is from the first printing of the second plate, which was used from 1590-1624. Van den Broecke estimates that only 10 copies were printed of this plate without page number or signature.

References: Laor #547; Van den Broecke #183.

Condition: A+

Superb color on watermarked paper. Manuscript page number "116" on verso.