Description
copper engraving.
EXTREMELY RARE map from Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, pl. 93, published in Antwerp, showing the area of Canton, Mindanao (no Luzon), and part of Japan; Latin ed.; this is the 1st map of China ever to appear in a Western atlas. (2nd state) (‘Las Philipinas’ mentioned) – Ortelius shows Mindanao, and some islands to the north, but only Cubo[Cebu] is marked. The most curious part of Southeast Asia on this map is the long, diagonal island just north of Borneo. Though this is the position and orientation of Palawan, the island depicted here is clearly not based on information from Spanish expeditions.
Ortelius was a notable Dutch cartographer, and the publication of this atlas in 1570 marked an epoch in the history of cartography. It was the first uniformly sized, systematic collection of maps of the countries of the world based only on contemporary knowledge since the days of Ptolemy, & in that sense may be called the first modern atlas; although that term itself was not used until 20 years later by Mercator. The Theatrum was re-issued in 42 editions with 5 supplements with text in Latin, Dutch, German, French, Spanish, Italian & English between the years 1570-1612. The protrusion of a Southern landmass, initially called ‘Beach’ by Marco Polo, is shown South of “Java Major”, alluding to Australia?
Condition
with centerfold as issued, split professionally backed.
