One Map from Ortelius:

Map of Flanders, Netherlands

Description of the work:

This stunning folio map is from Abraham Ortelius's Theatrum orbis terrarum. The work was published in Antwerp by Gillis Van den Rade in 1575 (with the first edition being published 1570).

The engraved map features Latin text to verso. The maps have been described as "the most outstanding engravings depicting the wide-spread interest in classical geography in the 16th century." (Van der Krogt) The beautiful maps feature Renaissance-style cartouches and decorative work including vessels, sea and mythological monsters, birds, medallions, et al. Noted art historian, James A. Welu, comments on "their richness of ornamentation, [they are] a combination of science and art that has rarely been surpassed in the history of mapmaking... Ortelius's Theatrum is known for its numerous decorative cartouches, which undoubtedly added to the atlas's long popularity." (Art and Cartography, pp. 145-146)

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is widely recognized as the first modern atlas which shaped the future of cartography throughout the 17th century. It utilized text and maps to fully explore the known world. "The publication of this atlas [ Theatrum, 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 and in that sense may be called the first modern atlas." (Tooley) Frans Hogenberg also worked on the publication of this atlas.

Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) was one of the most influential cartographers of the 16th century. He was born in Antwerp, Belgium but traveled throughout Europe where he eventually met Mercator. Ortelius became one of the most important cartographers in history. His largest accomplishment was certainly his atlas entitled Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. He was also appointed Royal Cartographer to King Philip II of Spain.


Three Engravings from Schenk:

View of Middelburg, Netherlands (Middelburg)
View of Leeuwarden, Netherlands (Leeuwarden)
View of Groningen, Netherlands (Groningen)

Description of the work:

This historic engraved city or port view is from Pieter Schenk's Hecatompolis, sive Totius orbis Terrarum Oppida Nobiliora Centum; Exquisite Collecta atque Eleganter Depicta. The work was published by Schenk in 1702 in Holland & West Frisia.

The work depicted ports in many important cities around the world including London, Constantinople, Jerusalem, Algiers, New Amsterdam, and Havana.

Pieter Schenk the Elder [Petrus or Peter] (1660-1711) was a German cartographer, engraver, and publisher. He studied under Gerhard Valck. The two families would be active print sellers, globe makers, and publishers.

Provenance: Name inked to title: Charles D. de Beaurieux(?); Family of William Henry Crocker I (1861-1937); gift to manservant, Louis Collaud (1893-1972) in 1932; bequest, to Nancy Meyer Kolmodin (proprietor of Friedrich’s Gifts & Antiques, Lafayette, CA)

One Map from Visscher:

Map of the Netherlands

Description of the work:

This detailed map is from Nicolaes Visscher's Atlas minor, sive geographia compendiosa qua orbis terrarum per paucas attamen novissimas tabulas ostenditura. The work was published by the author in Amsterdam circa 1690s.

Nicolaes (Nicholas) Visscher (1618-1709) was a Dutch engraver, cartographer, and publisher. He came from a prominent family of cartographers including his father, Claes Janszoon Visscher, and son, Nicholas II. Visscher maps are known for their exceptional engraving.