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Ortelius History of the World
History of the World is one of a fine collection of rare books in the Charlecote Library. Its correct title is Theatrum Orbis Terrarum which translates as Theatre of the World. It is not a history book but the first true Atlas, produced in 1570, although it does contain some historical maps. Mercator produced his first Atlas 19 years later and he called it an Atlas. This has led to some confuion with it being claimed that Mercator produced the first atlas. This is just terminology and Theatrum is in every sense an Atlas. The Charlecote library has two copies. There is a copy of the original 1570 print in Latin bound in vellum with a reduced number of maps and the 1606 English, and most complete, edition. What we can see on the shelf is actually a slipcase with the book inside. Although Ortelius was himself a map-engraver he was highly regarded as a collector of maps and the Theatrum is a presentation of maps from other sources. Many of these sources have been lost and the names of the engravers have been kept alive by the Ortelius collection. Ortelius redrew these maps so as to present them to a standard size and orientation. For the first time in one volume, all parts of the globe were treated in a comprehensive and uniform manner, and thus it presented as complete a picture as was then possible of the whole world.
The library card indicates there are some loose maps with this book. The number of maps in the book grew from 53 in the 1570 edition to 119 map sheets and 36 historical, or classical, maps by the 31st and last edition before the death of Ortelius. The book was so popular in remained in print until 1612. In total there were over 40 editions in seven different languages. In 1573 until 1579 Ortelius published supplementary maps in an Additamentum Theatri Orbis Terrarum. These may be the additional maps referred to on the library card. Over 7000 copies were sold in total comprising the various editions.

The book has a highly decorated and finely detailed title page [colophon]

The two female figures either side of the arch represent Asia and Africa with Europe seated at the top. At the bottom is a recumbent figure holding up a decapitated head with her bow and poisoned arrows. This is Ortelius' idea of the New World! Next to her is a female bust on a pedestal above a flame which represents the Southern tip of South America, Magellanica, which was not fully charted but many fires had been sighted (hence Tierra del Fuego).

The 1606 version has a dedication to Ortelius which translates as :
You see here the monument of Abraham Ortelius whom the city of cities, Antwerp, brought forth.
The King of Kings, Philip, had him as geographer.
For a short time the earth held him who himself held the globe of lands.
With his pen and writing tablets he illustrated it, yet he held it cheaply, he who surveyed the heavens and the heights, unmoved by hope or fear.
He was a lover of friendship, carried out his duties with radiant good faith; he was also a lover of privacy, shunning disputation, marriage and crowds.
He led his life as if he were dedicated elsewhere (i.e. to God).
Reader, pray that he may have rest now and evermore.
He died on the fourth day before the kalends of July in the year (June 28) 1598. (Roman reckoning included the kalends as day 1).
He lived 71 years, 2 months and 18 days.
(This monument) dedicated by his sister's sons to BM Poss. (Beata Maria Possente? The powerful blessed Mary, though BMV is the more usual abbreviation for Mary)
(with thanks to Brian Wilson for the translation)

Ortelius had two sisters and together they worked as map colourists. He did not produce any maps of his own until in his mid-thirties by which time he was much travelled and had made connections with other historians, topographers and cartographers who, when the time came, assisted him in compiling the Theatrum.