Charlecote Park From the Library - Len Mullenger Ortelius History of the World full website here (French Edition) Abraham Ortel (1527-1598) known simply as Ortelius. 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.. The Charlecote library has two copies. There is a copy of the original 1570 print in Latin on vellum with a reduced number of maps and 1606 English and most complete edition. What we can see 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 maps were not intended to provide just cartographical information but were to be appreciated and desired as objects in their own right. To this end the were often highly decorated and coloured. A fine example is his map of Iceland (Islandia) showing mountain ranges, fjords, glaciers and the Mt Hekla volcano (larger version). There are Polar Bears shown floating on Icebergs top right (larger version) and in the seas are a fine collection of Sea Monsters (the greatest number to be shown on one map). see larger version here   The book has a highly decorated and finely detailed title page [colophon](left).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). See larger version here The 1606 version has a dedication to Ortelius (top right) 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.   The world map from Theatrum Orbis Terrarum See larger version here From 1573 onwards the Ortelius atlas contained maps of England and Wales and of Wales alone by the Welsh historian and topographer Humphrey Lhuyd. . In 1603 this was replaced a map of Christoper Saxton which only lasted one edition to be replaced by one from Jan Baptist Vrient who included Ireland and a genealogical table of the Royal family. I assume this is the map in the Charlecote copy but I show the Lhuyd and Vrient maps below. Anglia Regni by Humphrey Lhuyd (1573) see larger version here The Charlecote 1606 copy contains the follwing version: Anglia et Hiberniae - Johan Baptist Vrient 1605 see larger version here However the Charlecote 1570 copy has adifferent map showing the UK sideways on. I have not discovered who engraved that Further information: see Wikipedia Library of Congress, Historical Collections for the National Digital Library, Ortelius Atlas High resolution zoomable images from the 1574 edition - Collection item from the State Library of Victoria Len Mullenger is a Sunday volunteer guide. Any comments are welcome and can be sent to len@musicweb-international.com Return to Index page