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Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Dutch, 1527-1598

Abraham Ortelius is widely recognized as the inventor of the atlas and one of the most prominent geographers in history. He is one of the best known and most frequently collected of all sixteenth-century mapmakers, and today, hand-colored, copperplate-printed Abraham Ortelius maps continue to command avid interest.

Ortelius was the eldest of the three children of an Antwerp merchant. After his father's death when he was ten, he was raised by his uncle Jacob Van Meteren — a financier and printer of early English versions of the Bible. Ortelius entered the Guild of Saint Luke in 1547 to become a map copier and colorist, but his hobbies overshadowed his studies. 

Ortelius was better known as a student of history and a collector of books and old coins than a cartographer — only initially garnering modest praise for his skills at mapmaking. Gleaning what he learned from his uncle, he became a dealer in books and prints. In 1554 he attended the annual Frankfurt Book Fair, where he met the highly respected cartographer Gerardus Mercator.

Ortelius refocused his work in mapmaking after that fateful encounter. He eventually published Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theater of the World) — a comprehensive collection of maps that he bound into a book. It was the first of its kind and is now recognized as the first modern-day atlas. While creating his atlas, Ortelius observed that the coast of America shared geometrical similarities with the shores of Europe and Africa. When he lined up maps of the coastlines of the continents, they matched — much like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle. 

Some have argued that the concept of continental drift is at least partly rooted in Ortelius’s 16th-century-era suggestion that the continents had once been joined together as a single mass of land before the Americas were pulled away from Europe and Africa. Much later, in 1912, German meteorologist Alfred Wegener proposed in a lecture and an article that the continents had once been locked together based on data he collected. Wegener was widely ridiculed at the time, but the foundation of modern-day science of plate tectonics has its origins in his work.

On May 18, 2008, a Google Doodle celebrated the 300th anniversary of Ortelius’s atlas.

On 1stDibs, find original Abraham Ortelius prints, landscape prints and more.

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Artist: Abraham Ortelius
AMERICAE - Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio
AMERICAE - Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio

AMERICAE - Sive Novi Orbis, Nova Descriptio

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Santa Monica, CA

ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527 - 1598) AMERICAE SIVE NOVI ORBIS, NOVA DESCRIPTIO, 1587 (1603) (Van Den Broecke 11, Burden 64; Schwartz & Ehrenberg 69) Engraving. A very good, well printed...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

Northern Italy: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Abraham Ortelius
Northern Italy: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Abraham Ortelius

Northern Italy: A 16th Century Hand-colored Map by Abraham Ortelius

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a framed 16th century hand-colored copperplate map of northern Italy entitled "Veronae Urbis Territorium a Bernardo Bragnolo Descriptium" by Abraham Ortelius from his atlas "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum", which was the first modern atlas of the world, with the first volume published in 1570. This map was part of a subsequent volume, published in Antwerp in 1584. It was based on an earlier map by Bernardo Brognoli. This beautiful map of northern Italy is focussed on Verona and its environs, including Mantua. Lake Garda and the South Tyrol mountains are prominently depicted. There is a very large striking cartouche in the upper left and a decorative distance scale in the lower right. This striking hand-colored map of northern Italy is presented in a gold-colored wood frame and an olive green-colored mat. It is glazed with UV conservation glass. All mounting materials used are archival. The frame measures 21.5" high by 28" wide by 0.75" deep. There is a central vertical fold, as issued, with slight separation of the lower portion of the fold. There are faint spots in the upper and right margins, but the map is otherwise in very good condition. Abraham Ortelius (also known as Ortels, Orthellius, and Wortels) (1527-1598) was a Dutch cartographer, geographer, and cosmographer. He began his career as a map colorist. In 1547 he entered the Antwerp guild of St Luke as an "illuminator of maps". He had an affinity for business from an early age and most of his journeys before 1560, were for business. He was a dealer in antiques, coins, maps, and books. 
His business income allowed him to acquire an extensive collection of medals, coins, and antiques, as well as a large library of books...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

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Set of Four Engravings from Nash's "History of Worcestershire" /// Landscape Art
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By Treadway Russell Nash

Located in Saint Augustine, FL

Artist: Treadway Russell Nash (English, 1724-1811) Title: "A View of Stourbridge", "A View of Upton upon Severn, from Ryal Hill", "Bewdley", and "Tenbury" Portfolio: Collections for the History of Worcestershire Year: 1781-1782 (First edition) Medium: Set of Four Original Engravings on watermarked laid paper Limited edition: Unknown Printer: John Nichols, London, UK Publisher: T. Payne and Son, J. Robson, B. White, Leigh and Sotheby, London, UK; Fletcher, Oxford, UK; and Lewis, Worcester, UK Sheet size (each): approx. 10" x 16.5" Image size (each): approx. 6.88" x 11.75" Reference: Upcott III, page 1330 Condition: A few light handling creases. Have been professionally stored away for decades. They are all strong impressions in excellent condition Notes: Provenance: private collection - Aspen, CO. All four works were engraved by English artist Thomas Sanders (Active: Mid-Late 18th Century) after drawings by himself. Comes from Nash's two volume "Collections for the History of Worcestershire", (1781-1782) (First edition), which consists of 75 engravings. Each work is printed from one copper plate in one color: black. There was a (Second edition) "with Additions" bound in with Volume II of this portfolio published by John White in 1799. And, both the First and Second editions of "Collections for the History of Worcestershire" are based off Thomas Sanders' 1779-1781 "Perspective Views of the Market Towns within the County of Worcester". Both "A View of Stourbridge" and "A View of Upton upon Severn, from Ryal Hill" have unidentified fleur-de-lis watermarks in the center of their sheets. "Bewdley" has an unidentified watermark in the center of its sheet resembling "XV" and "Tenbury" has no watermark. Biography: Treadway Russell Nash (24 June 1724 – 26 January 1811) was an English clergyman, now known as an early historian of Worcestershire and the author of Collections for the History of Worcestershire, an important source document for Worcestershire county histories. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. Treadway Russell Nash was born on 24 June 1724 born at Clerkenleap, in Kempsey, Worcestershire. His family were from Ombersley. They had lands there and at Claines, and had later bought lands in the Reformation around St Peter's, Droitwich. He was related to James Nash and John Nash, both MPs for Worcester. His father Richard, a grandson of Sir Rowland Berkeley, died in 1740, and Richard's eldest son in 1757. As a result, Treadway Russell Nash inherited the Russells' Strensham estates from his brother, as well as the Nash estates, and took both names. He was educated from the age of twelve at King's School, Worcester, and became a scholar at Worcester College, Oxford aged fifteen. In March 1749, he accompanied his brother on a trip to the continent, to aid Richard's health. They visited Paris for about six weeks, before spending the summer "on the banks of the Loire". They then visited "Bourdeaux, Thoulouse, Montpelier, Marseilles, Leghorn, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Venice, Padua, Verona, Milan, Lyons, and again Paris"; such expeditions are often known as the Grand Tour. On his return in late summer 1751, Nash took up a post as Vicar of Eynsham through his friend and future brother-in-law, John Martin. He also had an income as a tutor at Oxford. He took his Doctor of Divinity degree and left Oxford, having "gone out grand compounder", following the death of his brother. He also left his benefice at Eynsham in 1757. While at Oxford he had proposed a road from there to Witney (now the A40 and B4022), and also stood for Parliament. Nash married Margaret Martin...

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1780s Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

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Flores para la Ñusta II

Flores para la Ñusta II

By Ana Maria Hernando

Located in Lyons, CO

Color lithograph with cut outs, Edition 30. Flores para la Ñusta translates as "Flowers for the Ñusta". The artist states: "In the Andean cosmology, the Ñusta is the feminine ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

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Four Framed Hogarth Engravings "Four Times of the Day"
Four Framed Hogarth Engravings "Four Times of the Day"

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By William Hogarth

Located in Alamo, CA

The four plates in this "Four Times of the Day" set were created utilizing both engraving and etching techniques by William Hogarth in 1738. Hogarth's original copper plates were refurbished where needed by James Heath and these engravings were republished in London in 1822 by Braddock, Cradock & Joy. This was the last time Hogarth's original copper plates were used for printing. Most were melted down during World War I for the construction of bombs. Printed upon early nineteenth century wove paper and with large, full margins as published by William Heath in 1822. The inscription below each print reads "Invented Painted & Engraved by Wm. Hogarth & Publish'd March 25. 1738 according to Act of Parliament". These large folio sized "Four Times of the Day" engravings/etchings are presented in complex gold-colored wood frames with black bands and scalloped gold inner trim. A majority of each thick impressive frame is covered with glass applied near the outer edge. Each frame measures 25.75" high, 22.25" wide and 1.88" deep. There are a few small dents in the edge of these frames, which are otherwise in very good condition. "Morning" has two focal areas of discoloration in the upper margin and some discoloration in the right margin, a short tear in the left margin and a short tear or crease in the right margin. "Noon" has a spot in the upper margin that extends into the upper image, but it is otherwise in very good condition. "Evening" has a faint spot in the upper margin, but it is otherwise in very good condition. "Night" is in excellent condition. The "Four Times of the Day" series is in the collection of many major museums, including: The British Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Tate Museum, The Chicago Art Institute and The Victoria and Albert Museum. Through this series Hogarth is portraying early 18th century London street life at "Four Times of the Day". His characters are exhibiting their personalities, quircks, strange activities, but he also wants to draw attention the disparities between the wealthy aristocracy and the common working class. Plate 1, "Morning" depicts morning in Covent Garden in the winter in front of Tom King...

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"Apparition at the Border of Language"

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Located in Middletown, NY

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Persiae, Armeniae, Natoliae et Arabiae Descriptio per Frederick deWit 1666 map
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By Franz Hogenberg

Located in Alamo, CA

This is a 16th century original hand-colored copperplate engraved map of Frankfort, Germany entitled "Francenbergum, vel ut alij Francoburgum Hassiae Opp" by Georg Braun & Franz Hogenberg, from their famous city atlas "Civitates Orbis Terrarum", published in Cologne, Germany in 1595. This is an English translation of an excerpt from the original text in the atlas: "Frankenberg or, according to others, Francoburgum, a town in Hesse. Charlemagne vested the town of Frankenberg with many freedoms and privileges, which it still enjoys to this day, and on account of its valiant and victorious soldiers awarded a signet, upon which there formerly appeared a golden castle with a tower, together with the letter F and a golden crown. Frankenberg, seen here from the northeast, lies on a hill above the River Eder. The hillside is covered with fields neatly separated by bushes and fences. Soaring above the town is the massive Liebfrauenkirche, which was modelled on St Elizabeth's church in Marburg. The New Town was founded in 1335 at the foot of the hill (right) and merged with the Old Town as late as 1556. Frankenberg was founded by Conrad of Thuringia in 1233/34 to prevent the archbishops of Mainz from expanding their sphere of influence...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

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Located in Long Island City, NY

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1750s Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

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Located in New Orleans, LA

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2010s American Modern Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving, Mezzotint

Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood, 18th century engraving
Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood, 18th century engraving

Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood, 18th century engraving

By Colen Campbell

Located in Melbourne, Victoria

Plan of the Park, Garden and Plantations of Goodwood in Sussex the Seat of his Grace the Duke of Richmond and Lenox &c Copper-line engraving with later hand-colouring by Hendrik Hul...

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18th Century English School Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

Previously Available Items
Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - 17th Century Engraving, Map of the Holy Land
Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - 17th Century Engraving, Map of the Holy Land

Abraham Ortelius (1527-1598) - 17th Century Engraving, Map of the Holy Land

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Corsham, GB

An early 17th or late 16th century map showing the land of Canaan with an inset map depicting the wanderings of Abraham, the first patriarch of Judaism. Surrounded by 22 medallions s...

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18th Century Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

Collection of 110 original maps by Abraham Ortelius - 1584
Collection of 110 original maps by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

Collection of 110 original maps by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Roma, IT

Collection of 110 original etchings by Abraham Ortelius, 1584, with coeval hand watercoloring. From the series "Theatrum Orbis Terrarus", Antwerp created by Abraham Ortelius and Cri...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584
Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Roma, IT

Gades Map (Map of Cadiz) is an original Artwork realized in 1584 by Abraham Ortelius (also Ortels, Orthellius, Wortels; Antwerp, 4 or 14 April 1527 – Antwerp, 28 June 1598). Origina...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Etching

Aegypti Map - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584
Aegypti Map - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

Aegypti Map - Original Etching by Abraham Ortelius - 1584

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Roma, IT

Aegypti Map (Map of Egypt) is an original Artwork realized in 1584 by Abraham Ortelius (also Ortels, Orthellius, Wortels; Antwerp, 4 or 14 April 1527 – Antwerp, 28 June 1598). Origi...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Watercolor, Etching

HOLY LAND Original Engraved Map
HOLY LAND Original Engraved Map

HOLY LAND Original Engraved Map

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Santa Monica, CA

ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527 – 1598) ABRAHAMI PATRIAR:CHAE PEREGRINATIO, ET VITA. - 1608-12 Abrahamo Ortelio Antverpiano auctore (Van den Broecke 183 1608/1612Iv) ...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM
TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM

TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM

By Abraham Ortelius

Located in Santa Monica, CA

ABRAHAM ORTELIUS (1527 – 1598) TYPUS ORBIS TERRARUM 1570-5 (Shirley 122: Van Den Beck 1.2) First plate of 3 as published in 1575 - showing repairs to the crac...

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16th Century Old Masters Abraham Ortelius Prints and Multiples

Materials

Engraving

Abraham Ortelius prints and multiples for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Abraham Ortelius prints and multiples available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Abraham Ortelius in engraving and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 18th century and earlier and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large Abraham Ortelius prints and multiples, so small editions measuring 20 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Cornelis Bega, Adriaen van Ostade, and Jacobus Houbraken. Abraham Ortelius prints and multiples prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,580 and tops out at $4,500, while the average work can sell for $3,040.