Afrique

1590 · 40297 — N.p. 1590. Image area 19-1/2" x 12-7/8" in 28" x 23" mat. 1 vols. Imperfectly colored along crease down center small and unobtrusive dampstain in one corner. Still a nice piece. Image area 19-1/2" x 12-7/8" in 28" x 23" mat. 1 vols. Abraham Ortelius 1527-98 was a Flemish geographer of German origin. His major work Theatrum Orbis Terrarum 1570 with later revisions and addendums was the first modern atlas. It was based on contemporary charts and maps and contained a collection of plates engraved by Frans Hagenberg in a uniform size and format. The Theatrum preceded the first atlas of Ortelius' good friend Gerardus Mercator. In fact popular sentimental legend has it that Mercator delayed publication of his own work so that his younger friend's would appear first. Although this simply isn't true Mercator wasn't ready the legendary cartographer did complement Ortelius for the "care and elegance" he had put into the Theatrum. unknown