Abraham Ortelius ( 1527-1598) was a Dutch geographer and cartographer who is generally acknowledged as the creator of the first modern atlas; the first uniformly sized systematic collection of maps. His maps were issued colored and uncolored, but when the original color has been preserved such as in this example, it is beautifully and distinctively applied. Decorative strapwork surrounds the titles, and scales.  Topographical details such as forests and mountains are shown as are cities with their relative sizes denoted by the number of buildings, spires and walls that are shown.

This three part engraving contains fascinating largescale maps of “Gallia Narbonens”, the Mediterranean coast of southern France from Carcassonne to Marseille, “Sabavdiae Ducat” showing the interior from Lyon to Grenoble in the south, the Haute Savoie including Geneva on Lac Lemar and the area of Chamonix and Mont Blanc to the Piedmont area of Italy, and “ Venvuxini Comitatus Nova Descr.” showing the inland areas of Provence centered on the Rhone and Avigonon to Mont Ventour and Apt on the east.
As RV Tooley notes in Maps and Mapmakers, “For accuracy according to the knowledge of their time, magnificence of presentation and richness of decoration, the Dutch maps of this period have never been surpassed.”

15 3/4 x 20 5/8 inches, sheet.
Copper plate engraving with original coloring.
Excellent condition save several small wormholes along centerfold.