Abraham Ortelius:  Typus Orbis Terrarum

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Title: Typus Orbis Terrarum

Map Maker: Abraham Ortelius

Description:

Old color example of Ortelius' world map, as updated and revised in 1587.

Ortelius' map of the world was one of the most influentlal word maps of the 16th Century.  Following the map's substantial update and revision in 1587, a number of other map makers issued or revised maps which are similar in appearance.

The map includes a massive Terra Australis Nondum Cognita, distinctive northwest passage below the Terra Septemtrionalis Incognita, and other early cartographic misconceptions. The western bulge South America has been removed, but there is still only the Straits of Magellan separating the continent from the unknown southern continent.  The early misprojection of Japan is prominent, as is the equally erroneous depiction of Nova Guinea and the Solomon Islands.

North America is a study in early conjecture and mythical cartography, including a projection of the St. Lawrence reaching to the middle of the continent and a similar river running from the Gulf of Mexico to the same vicinity. Nova Francia is shown, although well prior to the visits of Champlain and the Jesuits. Quivira and Anian appear. Many other wonderful early configurations.

The map is embellished with sea monsters and sailing ships. This is the third state of the map, which first appeared in 1588 and was added to Ortelius' atlases beginning in 1592, adds new decorative embellishments, including the strapwork around the image and the medallions with quotes from Cicero and Seneca. The map is based upon Mercator's map of 1569, Gastaldi's map of 1561 and Diego Gutierrez' portolan map of the coastlines of the Atlantic. 

Condition Description: Old Color, recently refreshed. Some restoration along centerfold and one abrasion near center of the map, below Africa.

References: Shirley 122, Van den Broecke 3.

Related Categories:
Maps of the World