Unique Fold-Out Map from First Pocket-Sized Atlas

"Germania", Ortelius/Galle

This is a reduced-sized edition of Ortelius' map of the German Empire, which at the time included the Netherlands and Belgium, stretching from Calais to the Wista River in present day Poland, and south to the Adriatic Sea. Although the map is a close copy cartographically, the decorative elements were all either updated or eliminated by Galle. The distance scale is topped by measuring dividers, and the title is in a simple strapwork cartouche. French text on verso.

This map is from the first pocket-sized atlas, Spieghel der Wereld, which was based on Ortelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The maps were engraved on copper by Filips Galle and represented all regions around the world. The maps were accompanied by text prepared by Peter Heyns, who used the text from the Theatrum. The numbers printed above the maps, adjacent to the letterpress title, indicate the number of the map within the Theatrum. This innovative, small atlas was designed to reach the lower middle class, and was a commercial success, prompting numerous reprints and imitations. The first edition of the Spieghel der Wereld was published in 1577, with subsequent editions published in French in 1579 and 1583, Dutch in 1583 and 1596, and Latin in 1585. One unique feature of this pocket atlas was the inclusion of 6 larger, fold-out maps of the world, Europe, France, Germania, the Low Countries and Italy that were included alongside 66 miniature maps.

References: King (2nd Ed.) pp. 60-61; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #2000:331.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a bright sheet. There are professional repairs to a short centerfold separation at bottom and the map has been remargined at top along the binding edge, with small portions of the border replaced in facsimile.