Unique Fold-Out Map from First Pocket-Sized Atlas

"Italiae Novissimo Descriptio", Ortelius/Galle

This is a reduced-sized edition of Ortelius' map of Italy with updated decorative elements. Due to the smaller size, Galle opted for a simpler title cartouche, ships and sea monsters. 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) #7000:331.

Condition: B+

A crisp impression on a bright sheet. There are professional repairs to a short centerfold separation at bottom, some tiny worm tracks along the centerfold, and a short tear at far right. The map has been professionally remargined at top along the binding edge, with a portion of the border replaced in facsimile.