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. This is the less common first plate, which was used from 1590-95. This example has a blank verso, indicating that it was published in the 1590 Latin edition, of which Van den Broecke estimates that only 20 copies were printed.

References: Laor #547; Van den Broecke #182.

Condition: A

A fine impression and excellent color on watermarked paper with a few small, manuscript ink notations (on the fourth medallion and on the wooden roller holding up the map).