The rarest Ortelius atlas map of England and Wales

ORTELIUS, Abraham.

Anglia, Regnum si quod aliud in toto Oceano ditissium et florentissimum. Christophorus Saxton describebat.
Amsterdam: J.B. Virents, 1608, first Italian edition. Fine original colour. 385 x 480mm.

Minor repairs at centrefold.

Inspired from Christopher Saxton's map of 1579, first introduced into the 'Theatrum' only in 1602. Although a great improvement on the map after Humfrey Lhuyd, Ortelius stuck with Lhuyd's map probably out of respect for his deceased friend. This version was introduced into the 'Theatrum' as soon as Vrients took over publication, but the Lhuyd map was still being used in 1606, when the Vrients map of England & Ireland first appeared. A naval battle is taking place off the Cornish coast. Van den Broecke gives his estimate of examples printed as '525?' in total and '50?' for this Italian edition.

VAN DEN BROECKE: 20;
Stock ID : 19815