Ortelius' Important Map of Southeast Asia in Full Contemporary Color - First Edition

"Indiae Orientalis, Insularumque Adiacientium Typus", Ortelius, Abraham

Ortelius' important map of Southeast Asia, based on Mercator's 1569 World map, shows how sketchy the available information was concerning the region. The East Indies are presented as a randomly scattered archipelago with Java and Borneo particularly misshapen. Taiwan is mapped for the first time as I. Fermosa in the 'tail' of kite-shaped Japan's Lequaio islands. The fictitious Chyamai lacus is the source of a network of major rivers in Southeast Asia. Beach pars, a presumed promontory of the great southern continent based on Marco Polo's account, protrudes into the bottom of the map. In the upper right corner, America makes an appearance with the three coastal cities of Quivira, Cicuie, and Tiguex. Near the shore lies a ship being menaced by a pair of sea monsters, while twin mermaids preen before each other near the Ladrone Islands, which were named by Ferdinand Magellan due to an encounter with natives on the islands who attempted to steal items off Magellan's ships. Latin text on verso with page number 48, indicating this example was published in 1570, although the text is a different variant from those outlined by Van den Broecke.

References: Van den Broecke #166; Suarez (SE Asia), pp. 164-69.

Condition: B+

A nice impression with full contemporary color on a bright sheet with an eagle watermark, a few tiny tears and creases along the top edge of the sheet, and marginal soiling. There are archival repairs to some minor separations along the centerfold and to a tear that enters 2" into image at bottom center.