Regionis Biturigum Exactiss: Descriptio per D. Ioannem Calamaeum. Limaniae Topographia Gabriele Symeoneo Auct.
1579 (undated) 13 x 20 in (33.02 x 50.8 cm)
1 : 463000
These are two rare 1579 regional Abraham Ortelius maps on a single folio sheet. The Left Map, centered on Bourges, depicts the Loire Valley region from Gian to St. Sebastian in the south and from Le Blanc east as far as Nevers. Several important cities are noted, including Argenton, Neuers (Nevers), Bourges, Le Blang en Berry, Romarantin, Vierzon, Chasteau Neuf, and others. The right map follows the flow of the Alliers River from Randan to Gondole. Important cities, including Beauregard, Cleremont, among several others are noted. Each map features a decorative cartouche and details their respective regions in wonderful detail with attention to forests, cities, rivers and villages. This map was issued in 1579 by A. Ortelius for issue in his seminal atlas Theatrum Orbis terrarium.
Abraham Ortelius (1527 - 1598) was one of the most important figures in the history of cartography and is most famously credited with the compilation of the seminal 1570 atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, generally considered to be the world's first modern atlas. Ortelius was born in Antwerp and began his cartographic career in 1547 as a typesetter for the Antwerp Guild of St. Luke. In this role Ortelius traveled extensively through Europe where he came into contact with Mercator, under whose influence, he marketed himself as a "scientific geographer". In this course of his long career he published numerous important maps as well as issued several updated editions of his cardinal work, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Late in his career Ortelius was appointed Royal Cartographer to King Phillip II of Spain. On his death in July fourth, 1598, Ortelius' body was buried in St Michael's Præmonstratensian Abbey , Antwerp, where his tombstone reads, Quietis cultor sine lite, uxore, prole.
Ortelius A., Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, (Antwerp) 1579.
Very good. Two maps of single sheet. Original Centerfold. Latin text on verso. Some dampstains over center margin.
Van den Broecke, Marcel P.R., Ortelius Atlas Maps: An Illustrated Guide, 45. Koeman, Cornelis,Atlantes Neerlandici. Bibliography of Terrestrial, Maritime and Celestial Atlases and Pilot Books, Published in the Netherlands up to 1880, vol III, Ortelius 21.