Graecia, Sophia: NI by Abraham Ortelius

Code: 52785

Author: Ortelius, Abraham

Publisher: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Date published: 1584

Long title:. Translation of title by Marcel van den Broecke: Copper engraving with full original hand colouring. Overall sheet size: 56cms x 43.5cms; image size: 498mm x 348mm. Marcel van den Broecke, Ortelius Atlas Maps no 215. Latin text verso.  Three small pieces of tape being remnants from past framing at extreme top on verso; three slight chinks of light visible when held up to the light; small abrasion below Meridies bottom middle on front else; odd mark to margins else good condition. Shows Greece with the Greek Islands, Crete, Asia Minor and the Aegean Sea. fine and decorative antique map of Greece, Turkey and Asia Minor with neighboring islands, based upon Nikolaus Sophianos' map of Greece of around 1540. This map first appeared in an 'Additamentum' in 1579. Abraham Ortelius (1527 - 1598) Abraham Ortelius is one of the most important figures in the history of cartography. He was born and educated in Antwerp and after studying mathematics and the classics he began work as a bookdealer and colourist of maps. His business as a book dealer required him to travel to various parts of Europe and he was thus able to establish numerous contacts that would prove useful in later years. In the 1560s he published individual maps as well as an eight-sheet map of the world. He went on to compile a collection of maps from his numerous contacts among European map-makers. These he had engraved, mainly by Frans Hogenberg, to a uniform size and bound to form a book which he published in 1570 as the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This was in effect the first 'atlas' although this term wouldn't be used until twenty years later by Ortelius's colleague Mercator. One unique aspect of the atlas was that on the reverse of the maps was printed a description of the area. Another unusual aspect of the book was that Ortelius listed his sources and credited the various cartographers. The first edition contained 70 maps with text and was a great success. Numerous editions followed with revisions being made as new and more accurate information was found and the final edition was published in 1612. Ortelius dies July 4th, 1598, and was buried in Antwerp, with this inscription on his gravestone,' Quietis cultor sine lite, uxore, prole', (' Served quietly, without accusation, wife, and offspring').