"Portugalliae que Olim Lusitania Novissima et Exactissima Descriptio", Ortelius/Galle

This is the miniature version of one of the earliest and most beautiful maps of Portugal. It is oriented with north to the right and adorned with a strapwork title cartouche, a sailing ship and fully stipple engraved seas. The map is after Ortelius' folio map that was based on Fernando Alvarez Secco's map of 1560. French text on verso. The first pocket version of Ortelius' Theatrum was published by Philippe Galle in 1577 as Spieghel der Werelt. Galle began a new edition with new plates, commonly known as the Epitome, in 1588. Galle's miniature atlas was quite popular, and was published in editions until 1602. From 1583 he gradually introduced a new set of maps, both adding to and replacing the originals. The plates were then passed to Jan B. Vrients, who retouched some of the plates and published the final editions of the Epitome in 1601 and 1602.

References: King (2nd Ed.) pp. 64-65 & 88-89; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #6300:331.

Condition: B+

A dark impression with light toning and marginal soiling.