"Siciliae Descriptio", Ortelius/Galle

This great little miniature map shows rivers, lakes, and many towns on the island of Sicily. The stipple sea is adorned with a sailing ship, a galley, a sea monster, and an erupting volcano. 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) #7510:331.

Condition: B+

A dark impression with light toning and minor soiling in the blank margin.