"Picardiae, Belgicae Regionis Descriptio. Joanne Surhonio Auctore", Ortelius, Abraham

Superb example of the decorative style of Ortelius, based on the cartography of Jean Surhon. The map is filled with detail of the countryside along the Somme River, includes Abbeville, Amiens, Saint Quentin and La Fere (which was obviously a larger city in the sixteenth century than it is today). Two large and elaborate strapwork cartouches decorate the map at top and bottom. This is the second state, with French text on verso from the 1598 edition.

References: Van den Broecke #46.

Condition: A

A dark impression on paper with some printer's ink residue, minor offsetting, one tiny hole along the centerfold, and light toning along the edges of the sheet. Old manuscript page number below the map at right.