This book by Marcel P.R. van den Broecke,  book provides information on the maps which were included in the first regular atlas that ever appeared, Ortelius Theatrum Orbis Terrarum.

This atlas appeared first in 1570, and went through numerous editions. Its content was updated and expanded. It grew from 53 to 166 maps. The atlas was the most expensive book of the 16th century, but in spite of that a bestseller, and more than 7000 copies of it were printed. This illustrates its importance in the history of cartography, a fact recognized by Ortelius' contemporaries as well as by map collectors and historians today.

The book is a guide that provides information on the occurrence of each map in various atlas editions, thus allowing the reader to determine from which edition a loose map derives. lt also provides information on the various states that most maps went through, and gives their cartographic sources. An illustration opens the description of each map. Many new maps have been identified by the author, and are described here for the first time.
The guidebook opens with a short biography on Ortelius, and a survey of the editions of his atlas, and has indexes that help to accomplish quick map identification.

This book is indispensable for anyone who wants to know details about Ortelius' maps as they occur in his atlas.

24,5x13,5 cm. Cloth. With over 240 illustrations. 308 pp.