One of the largest & finest editions of Ortelius's Theatrum. One of the largest and finest editions of Ortelius's Theatrum, comprising 156 plates handsomely coloured by a contemporary hand. Ortelius, geographer to King Philip II of Spain, is credited with having authored the first modern atlas, the Theatrum orbis terrarum. Following Ortelius' death, his copperplates were acquired by the map engraver and publisher Jan Baptist Vrients (1552-1613), who published the present Latin edition in 1603 with the printer Robert Bruneau (see colophon of the Nomenclator), adding several new maps including of England and Germany.

Large folio (480 x 300mm); [Theatrum] text in Latin, engraved title, coat of arms, epigraph and portrait of Ortelius, all coloured by a contemporary hand with gilded detailing, 118 plates, all coloured by a contemporary hand, all woodcut initials coloured by a contemporary hand (some light, variable spotting and offsetting, marginal spitting, a few repaired tears); [Parergon] engraved title and 38 plates, all coloured by a contemporary hand (some light spotting and offsetting, a few small tears); [Nomenclator] title page with hand-coloured vignette; finely bound in modern red morocco, spine richly gilt in 8 compartments, green ties.

Van Den Broecke 20 & 57; Van der Krogt IIIA, 31:053.