Rare First Plate

"Valentiae Regni, olim Contestanorum si Ptolemaeo, Edetanorum si Plinio Credimus Typus", Ortelius, Abraham

This is Ortelius' first map of the ancient Kingdom of Valencia. Presented in his strong engraving style with a stipple engraved sea, the map is embellished with large strapwork cartouches, a sailing ship and a galley. The map is oriented with north to the right and is filled with detail of hundreds of villages. The bold lettering for Maris Mediterranei Pars distinguishes this rare plate from the second plate. It was published in only some copies of five editions; this one is from the 1592 Latin edition.

References: Van den Broecke #29.

Condition: B+

Full original color on watermarked paper with professional repairs to a separation along the plate mark at top right and a tear that enters 5" into image at lower right that is now barely visible.