Abraham Ortelius:  Typus Orbis Terrarum

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Title: Typus Orbis Terrarum

Map Maker: Abraham Ortelius

Description:

Fine old color example of the third state of Ortelius' world map.

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 1589 and adds the new 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: Minor fold split at bottom of map, just entering image. Fine old color example.

References: Shirley 122, Van den Broecke 3.

Related Categories:
Maps of the World
Maps of the World