Abraham Ortelius Map "Britannicarum Insularum Typus" from "Parergon", 1624

Item Details

Hand colored engraving on laid paper
Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England
17th Century
Engraved 1595, printed 1624
Abraham Ortelius (Flemish, 1527 – 1598)
Britannicarum Insularum Typus
Signed in plate to the cartouche to the upper right
From the Parergon
Dedication to George of Austria to the lower right, Latin text to the verso

Abraham Ortelius is celebrated as the creator of the first modern atlas titled Theatrum Orbis Terrarum published in 1570. Heavily influenced by Gerard Mercator with whom he traveled, he was appointed as the geographer for King Philip II of Spain in 1575. Ortelius is regarded as a seminal figure in the Golden Age of Netherlandish cartography and recognized for his proposal of the continental drift as an explanation for the similarities between continental coasts. His work is among the most frequently collected of 16th-century cartographers.

The Parergon initially served as a supplement to the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum depicting maps of the ancient world. Eventually, the Parergon was considered an atlas in its own right. This work depicts the British Isles in the time of the Romans and includes landmarks like Hadrian’s Wall as well as Roman city and place names like Hibernia for Ireland and Valentia for Scotland.

Condition

- toning and foxing marks throughout the paper; several vertical creases through center of image with reinforcement at seam to the verso; curling to paper from rolled storage; edge abrasions, marks, and nicks; slight creases to corners.

Dimensions

- measures sheet; plate mark measures 20.0" W x 14.5" H.

• Please note, this item may be rolled for storage and shipping.

Item #

ITMG127130