"America sive Novus Orbis", Ortelius/Vrients

This charming miniature map was updated from its predecessor, Philippe Galle's first miniature map derived from Ortelius and published in 1577. This edition has a more accurate outline for South America, but actually includes less detail than its predecessor. Only a few rivers and place names are noted. The vast southern continent is prominently featured, encompassing both Tierra del Fuego and Nova Guinea. The map is embellished with a strapwork title cartouche, a large galleon, and stippled seas. Latin text on verso.

This map was published in Filips Galle's series of Epitome, which first appeared in 1588. Galle was unimpressed with the maps in the Spieghel der Wereld, and therefore gradually replaced nearly all of them through the various editions of his Epitome. The new maps had simple double-lined borders and were widely copied by others. The plates were acquired by Jan Baptist Vrients circa 1600, who published three more editions in 1601 and 1602, retouching some of the plates and replacing a few more. By the time Vrients' 1601 edition was published, only 10 of the original maps remained.

References: Burden #123; King (2nd Ed.) pp. 64-65 & 88-89; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #9000:332.

Condition: A

Minor toning and marginal soiling.