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an old book with a map and a compass on itan old map of the world is open on a tablean old book with writing on it sitting on a tablean old map with a picture of two angels on ita map of the world with a picture of people on itan old map of the middle of europe with a lot of red dots on it
Premium Hermitage Fine Art

842 - ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527–1598)
See original version (French)

Estimate €2,000 - €2,500
Sale commission
Description
ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527–1598) Tartariae sive Magni Chami Regni typus [Tartary, or the Kingdom of the Great Khan]. 1570 Copperplate engraving, hand-coloured in watercolour. Latin text on the reverse. Sheet size 58 x 45 cm; image size 47.5 x 35 cm. Map in collector’s condition. The map is richly adorned with elegant cartouches, sailing ships on the ocean, fantastical sea monsters and flying fish, tents housing sovereigns, nomadic tents and various explanatory inscriptions in Latin. For example: ‘Here one finds the precious gemstone, the ruby’, ‘A marble bridge 300 paces long’, ‘In these mountains, stones are quarried which are used to kindle fires instead of wood’, ‘Here grows sweet flag’, ‘According to Pliny, the Scythian Ocean has fresh water; he also states that it contains numerous islands, as Marco Polo likewise mentions, but neither of them specifies their number or location’, etc. The map depicts the vast expanses of northern and central Asia, stretching from the Caspian and Black Seas to the Pacific. It also shows the eastern part of Muscovy, China, Japan and the west coast of North America, which was then largely unexplored (including an early depiction of California and the Strait of Anian). It formed part of the atlas ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’ by the famous Flemish geographer, cartographer and publisher Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598). The atlas was first published in 1570 and was reprinted numerous times in several languages over the following forty years. Large cartouche in cut leather, with a central shield-shaped panel surrounded by a substantial border of interlaced bands imitating coiled leather straps or cut parchment. At the buyer’s request, we shall be happy to provide a general report on the condition of the lot described above. However, as we are not professional conservators or restorers, we strongly advise potential buyers to carry out their own inspection or to consult a specialist of their choice to obtain a full assessment of the lot’s condition. Descriptions of items provided in the catalogue or by correspondence are for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a definitive assessment. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSION REGARDING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD ‘AS IS’, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE PUBLISHED IN THE CATALOGUE.
See original version (French)
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About the sale RARE BOOKS & MANUSCRIPTS: Antique books § Autographs, rare editions, photographs § Works on paper
Auction location
Auction time 10/29/2026 at 2:30 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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