TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM. EUROPAE. ASIAE NOVA DESCRIPTIO. AFRICAE TABULA NOVA. AMERICAE SIVE NOVI ORBIS, NOVA DESCRIPTIO.

Ortelius' oval map was based on a large 21-sheet world map published by his colleague, Gerard Mercator in 1569. Mercator apparently encouraged Ortelius to make use of his research as well as to do some amendments. This is a magnificent example of Ortelius's third world map, replacing the first two with the corrected coastline of South America and the medallions (in stead of clouds) in the corners, containing the quotations from Cicero and Seneca. Interestingly, the map prematurely showed a southern polar continent since the southern oceans had not yet been explored. The projected southern continent was based on the reports of Magellan sighting Terra del Fuego when he rounded the tip of South America and the accounts of early Dutch discoveries along the Australian coast. There is a comment adjacent to New Guinea querying whether this large island is a part of the southern continent or not. It is the first state of the third plate, retaining the 1587 date and before the addition of 'Le Maire Strait' in c.1628. Title above, surrounded by ornamented strapwork, which continues all around the map. Latin text on verso.Attractive map of Europe (fifth plate) combining elements of a number of Mercator's maps as well as Magnus' Scandinavia, Jenkinson's map of Russia and Gastaldi's maps of Africa and Asia. Title cartouche in the upper left.Map of Asia (second plate) was based on work by Gastaldi and Albufeda. Strapwork title cartouche in left bottom corner.Very decorative map of Africa (first plate, second state), embellished with sea monsters, battle ships and large title strapwork cartouche. One of the most famous maps of America, which had a great influence on the future cartography of the New World. This is a brilliant example of the third plate of Ortelius' Americas with additional information on Terra Australis, the newly discovered Solomon Islands and added locations on the west coasts of North and South America as well as new cartouche in North America and the cartographer's signature.Ortelius’ atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is considered a milestone in the history of cartography and it marks the beginning of the golden age of Flemish and Dutch cartography with cartographers from the Low Countries dominating the map trade until the end of the 17th century.

Fine condition; light offsetting and stains to the margins, not affecting the images. A set of world and four continents.