ORTELIUS, Abraham (1527-1598). Americae sive novi orbis, nova descriptio.  Antwerp, dated 1587 [but 1592].
ORTELIUS, Abraham (1527-1598). Americae sive novi orbis, nova descriptio. Antwerp, dated 1587 [but 1592].

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ORTELIUS, Abraham (1527-1598). Americae sive novi orbis, nova descriptio. Antwerp, dated 1587 [but 1592].

Engraved map of the Americas, fully colored by a contemporary hand, image 353 x 490 mm (441 x 559 mm sheet). Elaborate baroque title cartouche, galleons and sea-monster, Latin text on verso. (Clean tear along lower portion of central fold repaired on verso, some light marginal browning.)

Third issue of Ortelius map of America, dated 1587 under the author's signature, showing the Solomon Islands (discovered 1568) for the first time. It has been suggested that the inlet, above the name Wingandekoa, is the first depiction of the Chesapeake Bay on a printed map. First issued in 1570, Ortelius's America "was widely sold throughout Europe and had a great influence on the future cartography of the New World" (Burden). The outlines of South America are considerably improved and, without the bulge in Chili, are much closer to those recognized today. "One of the most famous and easily recognized maps of America, and one that is both functional as well as decorative ... had a great influence on the future cartography of the New World" (Burden, referring to the 1570 issue). Burden 64; Schwartz & Ehrenberg p.69; Tooley America p.321.

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