1584 – A. Ortelius – Italiae Veteris Specimen

Title:                      “ITALIAE VETERIS SPECIMEN.”
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Description:
Very detailed and decorative antique Ortelius map of the Italy as it was known in ancient times, based on earlier works by Giacomo Gastaldi. The map shows the Italian peninsula, Sardinia, Corsica, and parts of Sicily, labeled with historical Latin names such as “Latium” and “Mare Ligvsticvm”.

The map comes from German edition Abraham Ortelius atlas “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Auctoris aere & cura impressum absolutumque apud Aegid. Coppenium Diest, Antverpiae” published in Antwerp, 1584.

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is widely recognized as the first modern atlas which shaped the future of cartography throughout the 17th century. It utilized text and maps to fully explore the known world. he publication of this atlas marked an epoch in the history of cartography. It was the first uniformly sized, systematic collection of maps of the countries of the world based only on contemporary knowledge and in that sense may be called the first modern atlas.

Cartographer/ publisher:            Abraham Ortelius (1527 – 1598)​
Sheet size:                                            55,6 x 41,6 cm
Year:                                                      1584
Technique:                                          copper engraving

Condition:
Very good condition. Strong press on watermarked paper. Middle fold separation at the bottom. Upper margin small loss.

This is an original antique map published in 1584 and NOT a modern copy or reprint