Typus Orbis Terrarum
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An attractive example of this famous world map from the "first modern atlas". Abraham Ortelius is one of modern cartography's founding figures - being responsible for the production of the "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum", regarded as the first modern atlas. This is the first plate of three to be used in the 40-odd editions of the atlas and has the signature of the engraver, Frans Hogenberg, below the quotation from Cicero set into the border of clouds. The map copies much of its detail from Gerard Mercator's great map of 1569 and provides a clear picture of current geographical knowledge. Features include a vast "Terra Australis", the potato-shaped outline for South America, a relatively accurate North America and an almost circular Japan. The copperplate from which the map was printed has a curious history, sustaining a crack at lower left which subsequently needed repair. This printing shows the crack in its earliest stages, just appearing at the edge of the engraving and before remedial action was required. A good early example of one of the iconic maps of cartographic history.
region: World |
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