Maps by Abraham Ortelius

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Following the death of their father, Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) and his sisters became map illuminators or colourists; and Ortelius also dabbled in buying and selling general antiques. From 1558 onwards, he is recorded as purchasing multiple copies of maps in order to colour them, but also began building up a large personal collection.

Ortelius was certainly the “man for the moment” whose interest in history and the classics translated itself into his maps of the ancient world and, through his draughtsmanship and cartographic skills, the production of his maps of the modern, emerging world. His life spanned a period of dramatic European history and the cultural enlightenment of the late Renaissance, while his friendship with the great Gerard Mercator, and other connections with like-minded geographers, historians and academics around Europe, provided the raw material for one of the landmarks of cartographic history.

From about 1560, possibly as a result of his friendship with Mercator, Ortelius began to produce maps - an eight sheet world map being the earliest. At this time, Ortelius also began preparing his greatest project, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Having already become probably the greatest cartographic bibliographer of the period, Ortelius was able to prepare 53 map sheets based on the most up-to-date information, which were engraved by Frans Hogenberg, and first published in 1570.

The atlas achieved instant fame as “the world’s first regularly produced atlas” (Skelton), being the first atlas with maps prepared to a uniform format. It was also an immediate commercial success, being reprinted four times in 1570. Between 1570 and 1641 (the publication of the last recognised edition of the Theatrum …) few competing volumes appeared and the atlas was able to expand from its original 53 maps to over 160. Over 30 different editions, with text in Latin, French, Dutch, German, Italian, English or Spanish, testify to the popularity and esteem attributed to the work. Marcel Van Den Broecke, whose fascinating work on Ortelius and his maps is often quoted, estimates that around 7300 complete atlases were published using a total of 234 copperplates, either replacements or reworkings as plates became out-dated, worn, or as new information became available. Amongst this latter category, the maps added in the 1580’s and 90’s of the world, the Americas, China, the Pacific, Japan, Peru and Florida, and Iceland are important historically and justly famous.The maps themselves are finely engraved, often very decorative and generally found with text on the reverse.

After Ortelius’ death in 1598 the atlas continued to be printed and published by the Plantin Press. Between 1602 and 1609 it was published by Johann Baptist Vrients, who added a variety of fine maps including the very decorative large plates of England and Wales, and of Ireland. Publication reverted to the Plantin Press, under the control of the Moretus brothers, from 1612.

Although only the relatively unsuccessful atlases of De Jode and, ultimately, Mercator were published during the sixteenth century life of the Theatrum …, in 1607 Jodocus Hondius’s issue of Mercator’s Atlas ... with many newly prepared maps began to supersede Ortelius’ work.

Europe Maps Africa Maps Asia Maps America Maps Mexico & Central America Maps West Indies Maps British Isles Maps Scotland Maps & Charts Portraits and the Map Trade

Europe Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Portugalliae Que Olim Lufitania, Novissima... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1587 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34255 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 700 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Hispalensis Conventvs Delineatio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34256 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 480 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Valentiae Regini, Olim Contstanorvm Si Pto Lemaeo... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1584-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34261 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 480 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Insularum Aliquot Maris Mediterranei Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 47.5 x 36 ref: 34147 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 560 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Cypri Insulae Nova Descript 1573 mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 49.5 x 35 ref: 34154 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1750 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Cenomanorum Galliae Regionis / Britanniae Et Normandiae mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49.5 x 37.5 ref: 34132 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Provinciae Regionis Galliae, Vera Exactissimaque Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50 x 35 ref: 34161 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 600 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Caletensium Et Bononiensium / Veromandorum ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1558-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 47 x 36 ref: 35077 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 120 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Flandriae Comitatus Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1592 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 49 x 37.5 ref: 34157 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Hollandiae Antiquorum catthorum Sedis Nove Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 48.5 x 35 ref: 34159 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 600 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Lutzenbergensis Ducatus Veris Descrip mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 49 x 36 ref: 34160 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 680 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Namvrcvm mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 47 x 36 ref: 35081 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 120 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Atrebatum Regio=Nis Vera Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 47 x 36 ref: 35083 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 160 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Turingia Noviss. Descript. ... / Misniae Et Lusatiae Tabula ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1574 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 44.5 x 29 ref: 10761 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 260 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Bavaria Olim Vindeliciae Delineationis Compendium mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1579 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 48.5 x 38 ref: 17180 added: 14 Aug 07 price: £ 400 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Saxoniae, Misniae, Thuringiae, Nova Exactissimaq[ue] Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1579 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 50 x 34 ref: 17191 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 260 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Germaniae Typus mapmaker: F.Hogenberg / A.Ortelius place and date of publication: London 1576 -1606 medium and colour: copperplate, Original colour size in cms: 49 x 38 ref: 24388 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 780 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Holsatiae Descriptio / Rugiae, Usedomiae Et Iuliniae mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34266 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 360 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Germaniae Typvs mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1603-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34272 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 550 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Moraviae Quae Olim Mar Comannorun Sedes Corographia mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Original colour size in cms: 47 x 36 ref: 35082 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 220 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Saxoniae, Misniae, Thuringiae, Nova Exactissimaq Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50.5 x 34 ref: 35085 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 200 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Mansfeldiae Comitatus Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 43 x 36 ref: 35086 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 220 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Thietmar Siae,Holsaticae Regionis Partis Typus/Oldenburg Comit mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50x34 ref: 35087 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 160 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Hennebergen Sis Ditionis Vera Delineatio/Hassiae Descriptio... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 47 x 34 ref: 35088 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 140 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Westphalia Totius, Finitimarvmqve Regionvm ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50 x 34 ref: 35091 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 260 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Helvetiae Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 45 x 34 ref: 34156 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1000 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Basiliensis ... / Circulus Sveviae ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34270 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 260 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Ducatus Mediolanensis, Finitarumque ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 47.5 x 35.5 ref: 34312 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 600 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Veronae Urbis Territorium ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 46.5 x 33 ref: 34314 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 520 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Regni Neapolitani Verissima Secundum Antiquorum ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49 x 36 ref: 34316 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 450 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Senensis Dictionis .../ Corsica / Marcha Anconae, Olim Picenum mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 48.5 x 32.5 ref: 34317 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 450 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Pedemontanae Vicinorumque Regionum ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 48.5 x 36.5 ref: 34323 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 520 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Patavini Territorii ... / Tarusisni Agri Typus ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49 x 30.5 ref: 34328 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Aprutii Ulterioris Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1590 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 41.5 x 32 ref: 34403 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Rhetiae Alpestris ... Tirolis Comitatus / Goritiae, Karstii ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49.5 x 34 ref: 34409 added: 22 Jul 09 price: £ 480 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Agri Cremonensis Typus mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 49 x 34 ref: 35093 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 60 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Parmae Et Placentiae Ducatus mapmaker: J.B.Vrients / A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1608-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 48 x 36 ref: 35400 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 600 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Ducatus Ferrariensis, Finitiarumque Partium Descriptio ... mapmaker: J.B.Vrients / A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1608-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 51 x44 ref: 35401 added: 12 Jul 10 price: £ 600 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Prvssiae Vera Descriptio Per Gaspar Henneberg Erlichens. mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34264 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 420 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Moraviae Quae Olim Marcomannorum Sedes Corographia ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1579 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 47 x 35 ref: 17183 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 300 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Romaniae ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1584 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50 x 36 ref: 34152 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 550 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Illyricum mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34257 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 520 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Hvngariae Descriptio, Wolfgango Lazio Avct mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34259 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 450 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Austriae Descrip. mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34260 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 560 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Ungariae Loca Praecipva Recens Emendata ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34262 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Salisburgensis Ivrisdictionis... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1592-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34267 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 340 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Transilvania mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1575 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34268 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 460 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Carinthiae Dvcatvs ... / Histriae ... / Zarae ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34269 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 340 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Regni Bohemiae Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34271 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 320 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Daniae Regni Typvs mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1595 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34265 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Graeciae Universae ... Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 51 x 36 ref: 34148 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 800 read more

Africa Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Africae Tabula Nova mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 50 x 38 ref: 34122 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1650 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Barbariae Et Biledulgerid, Nova Descriptio. mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1592 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49.5 x 32.5 ref: 29800 added: 14 Jun 07 price: £ 520 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Barbariae Et Biledvlgerid Nova Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34263 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 460 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Presbiteri Iohannis Sive Abissinorum mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 43 x 37 ref: 34137 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1200 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Acores Insulae mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1584 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 46 x 33 ref: 34130 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 600 read more

Asia Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Persici Sive Sophorum Regni Typus mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49 x 35 ref: 34140 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 700 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Natoliae Qvae Olim Asia Minor, Nova Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 34 x 51 ref: 34273 added: 09 Jul 10 price: £ 440 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Terra Sancta mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1584 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50 x 37 ref: 34138 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 750 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Tartariae Sive Magni Chami Regni mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 46.5 x 35 ref: 34150 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1600 read more

America Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Americae Sive Novi Orbis mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1587 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 47.5 x 35 ref: 34124 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 5200 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Maris Pacifici Quod Vulgo mar Del Zur mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1590 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 49 x 34.5 ref: 34125 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 7500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Americae Sive Novi Orbis Nova Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1587 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 48.5 x 38.5 ref: 34660 added: 12 Nov 09 price: £ 5200 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	La Florida. Peruviae .... Guastecan mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1584 -1589 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 42.5 x 33 ref: 33768 added: 05 Feb 09 price: £ 2500 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Peruviae / La Florida / Guastecan Regio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1584 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 46.5 x 34 ref: 34134 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 2500 read more

Mexico & Central America Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Hispaniae Novae Sivae Magnae Recens Et Vera Descriptio mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 50 x 34.5 ref: 17225 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 520 read more

West Indies Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Culiacanae Americae Regionis Descriptio / Hispaniolae, Cubae ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579 -1598 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 50 x 39 ref: 27326 added: 25 May 10 price: £ 1200 read more

British Isles Maps
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Angliae, Scotiae, Et Hiberniae, Sive Britannicar: Insularum ... mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570-1612 medium and colour: Copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 49.5 x 34.5 ref: 29327 added: 25 Sep 07 price: £ 1250 read more

in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Angliae, Scotiae Et Hiberniae mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1570 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 49 x 34 ref: 34133 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1000 read more

Scotland Maps & Charts
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	Scotiae Tabula mapmaker: A.Ortelius place and date of publication: Antwerp 1573 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Uncoloured size in cms: 47 x 35 ref: 34126 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 1200 read more

Portraits and the Map Trade
in your basket remove view basket reserved sold	[Portrait] Abraham Ortelius mapmaker: A.Ortelius / P.Galle / J.B.Vrients place and date of publication: Antwerp 1579 -1612 medium and colour: copperplate, Coloured size in cms: 21 x 32 ref: 34118 added: 02 Jun 09 price: £ 600 read more