Lot 32
Ortelius, Abraham
Rare Books, Manuscripts, Maps & Photographs
Auction: 5 September 2007 at 12:00 BST
Description
[An epitome of Ortelius his theatre of the world... amplyfied with new mappes wanting in the Latin editions. London: Henry Swingenius for John Norton, 1602], first edition of the Epitome in English, 2 parts in one volume, oblong 8vo (110 x 145mm.), 125 engraved maps, contemporary calf, blind-stamped fillet around boards with heart motif in corners, lacking the title, dedication leaf torn in inner margin with loss of three letters, dedication leaf A2 and following leaf A3 (The Celestial Globe) cropped diagonally affecting headlines and first line of text of A3 verso, lightly dampstained from M2 onwards, a few light marks, without the final blank or cancel leaf, head and base of spine worn, small wormhole to upper board
Footnote
Note: First English edition of Ortelius's Epitome. The first English edition of 1602 is dedicated to Mr. Richard Gargrave, who was knighted by King James in 1603. "These two little books were the earliest world atlases to be published in England and the earliest world atlases with English text" (R.A. Skelton, "Bibliographical Note" in Abraham Ortelius The Theatre of the Whole World. Amsterdam, 1968). The maps were engraved by Philip Galle after the maps in Ortelius's Theatrum of 1570, this edition being printed by Hendrik Swing (Swingenius) for the London bookseller, John Norton, the same person who published, in partnership with John Bill, the Theatrum in 1606. Koeman III, Ort 62; Phillips, Atlases 418; van der Krogt 332:31