Rare First Plate of Ortelius' Map of Ancient Germany

"Germaniae Veteris, Typus", Ortelius, Abraham

This is Ortelius' first map of ancient Germany. The region covered takes in all of central Europe from Belgium and France through Poland, to include northern Italy and Hungary. The map is based on the writing of classical authors such as Ptolemy, Caesar and Strabo. It is richly engraved and features four large strapwork cartouches. This map is very rare, as it only appeared in three editions of the Theatrum before being replaced with a new map. Van den Broecke estimates that there were only 700 copies of this map printed. Blank verso with columns of Latin printed on a separate sheet and pasted on verso.

References: Van den Broecke #199.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a bright sheet with minor marginal soiling and a small hole in the right blank margin that has been professionally repaired.