"Saxoniae Misniae Thuringiae Nova Exactiss Descri", Ortelius/Galle

Charming, miniature version of Ortelius' map of the eastern part of Germany bordering Poland and the Czech Republic. The map covers Saxony and the surrounding region with great detail, centered approximately on Leipzig. The Elbe River flows northwest through the middle of the map, with Prague appearing at bottom right. A naked figure sits atop the title 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) #2100:331.

Condition: A

A bright sheet with small worm tracks in the blank margins and a stain along the right edge of the sheet.