ORTELIUS, Abraham.

by Abraham Ortelius

£195,000 · Offered by Sokol Books

This edition contains the first Western map of China and Japan as well as the first appearance of new maps of Florida, Peru and North Eastern Mexico. A superb deluxe copy, finely coloured and profusely highlighted in silver and gold, of the first modern world atlas, in a luxury publisher s binding. A scholar, but primarily a publisher, Ortelius made his atlas attractive to the contemporary mannerist and baroque taste embellishing his maps with complex frames, countless ornamental illustrations and minute particulars. For this reason, the Theatrum was the most expensive book of its day and one of the most desired. Lavishly illuminated copies were hand-coloured by the afzetters (artists) of the prestigious school of Antwerp. Some of them were produced for presentation to important figures, but many were made on commission for wealthy clients and customised according to their specific requirements. Often, clients would send their requests for illuminated copies to Ortelius in person, who worked for many years as a decorator of maps himself. This copy is outstanding as every plate has details highlighted in gold and silver: the lettering, scales and compasses, fine borders of cartouches, sea waves, ship flags, sea creatures and the small characters clothes. Such pervasive and expert application of gold and silver is rare, as it was the costliest form of decoration. The only comparable example sold at auction in recent years was from the magnificent library of the bibliophile and

• Binding: Hardcover

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