"Larii Lacus Vulgo Comensis Descriptio Auct Paulo Jovio", Ortelius/Galle

This charming miniature map depicts Lake Como with north oriented to the right. The city of Como is depicted as a tiny bird's-eye view. The map is illustrated on a piece of parchment with clouds above and a lovely scene of the countryside below. 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) #7026:331.

Condition: B+

Light toning and marginal soiling.