![]() The illustration above shows the two printings of the map concerned. First map dated 1579, and second map dated 1592 ![]() It is the two versions of this particular map which will be the focus of our study today.Ībraham Ortelius’s Typus Orbis Terrarum. Long and extraordinary voyages were providing new and exciting information about the world for the first time and Ortelius was at the forefront of both its collation and distribution. This was the first map in the book, the most likely to make an indelible impression and also the most likely to be subjected to the vast influx of geographical information which was flooding Europe during this period. ![]() Out of all the revisions to individual Ortelius maps, the most radical was performed on his map of the world. Thus, the first edition of the atlas contained seventy maps and the last edition contained one hundred and sixty-seven. One of the secrets of its success was Ortelius’s use of maps by other mapmakers, usually the great learned men from the courts of Europe hence the reason why we have maps by individuals such as Wolfgang Lazius, historian to Emperor Franz Ferdinand I of the Holy Roman Empire, Giacomo Gastaldi, one of the greatest members of the “Lafreri” School of Italian Cartography as well as Ludovico Texeira, a noted Portuguese Jesuit cartographer who provided the first European depictions of the individual islands of Japan.ĭuring his lifetime, Ortelius was also continually revising, editing, changing, sometimes completely replacing, as well as adding individual maps to the Theatrum. The work was an immediate success, ultimately going through more than thirty editions, from 1570 to 1612, despite the death of Ortelius himself in 1598. In short, he produced the first ever “Atlas” although that term was not coined until substantially later, in 1595. The “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum” or “Theater of the World” was a bound collection of maps, all of the same size and style, curated to take the reader on a journey around the world as it was known in the late 16 th century. However, it was in 1570 that he produced the work that is now regarded as his legacy and is often cited as one of the most important printed works ever published. Following quickly after that, he produced a six sheet map of Spain, a two sheet map of Egypt and an eight sheet map of Asia, all in the 1560s. The first map that Ortelius produced under his own name is traced to 1564, a large world map in eight sheets known in one example, now in the library of the University of Basel. Indeed, there are records of Ortelius regularly visiting the Frankfurt Book Fair in the mid-16 th century. He was also a very active businessman, dealing extensively in maps, prints and books, both his own and from other sources. Due to his involvement in the trade, he built a formidable network of contacts throughout Europe. Through his father, he was involved in the antiquarian trade from an early age and as an adult, became part of the cartographic industry as a map engraver and illuminator. Ortelius was born in Flanders in 1527 and is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of cartography. One of the most prominent examples suitable for this exercise are maps by Abraham Ortelius. Printed onto high quality poster paper which is durable and is non- tearable.One of the privileges of working in The Map House with such a large collection of antique maps is the ability to compare different printings of the same map and trying to spot the geographical advances, regresses and outright differences between them. It is a historically important piece with its wide array of features and unique perspective. The map features a multitude of geographical details that are sure to educate and entertain any viewer. Quite a few new place names appearing along the North American west coast were provided to Ortelius by Hakluyt on the basis of recent explorations. Twol sea monsters and a sailing ship appear in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The projection of America is based upon Mercator’s Wall map of 1569, as is most of the other cartographic detail. In comparison to his previous versions of the World, South America has lost its curious bulge. ![]() A curious projection of Japan and Southeast Asia is shown. It also mentions place names reported by Marco Polo. This replication of the Typus Orbis Terrarum includes a Northwest Passage and Northeast Passage and a massive Southern Continent which is attached to New Guinea. He is also believed to be the first person to imagine that the continents were joined together before drifting to their present positions. Abraham Ortelius (Abraham Ortels) (14 April 1527 – 28 June 1598) was a cartographer and geographer, generally recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World). ![]()
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