ORTELIUS (Abraham). Parergon, sive veteris geograpiæ... Lot 20

ORTELIUS (Abraham). Parergon, sive veteris geograpiæ aliquot tabulæ. [Antwerp: Christophe Plantin, 1595]. - In-folio, 442 x 298 : (64 ff. out of 68). Covered parchment, smooth spine, speckled edges (contemporary binding). Koeman Ort 45 & Ort 44. - Adams O-340 (linked to Theatrum). Rare edition of this atlas, which is often joined to the 1595 Latin edition of Abraham Oretelius' Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The Parergon maps began appearing as a supplement to the Theatrum Obis Terrarum in 1579, with just 3 maps. Over the following years, more maps were produced, and the Parergon became an atlas in its own right. According to Koeman: "This atlas of ancient geography must be regarded as Ortelius' personal work. For this work, he did not, as in the "Theatrum", copy maps from others, but drew the originals himself, which were then engraved by Jan Wierix... The Parergon maps must be considered the most remarkable engravings representing the widespread interest in classical geography in the 16th century." This 1595 edition normally includes a portrait of Ortelius by Philip Galle, a title in a woodcut architectural frame, 30 double-page copper-engraved maps and 2 engraved views. There are also a few woodcut medals in the text. This copy is incomplete with the portrait, text leaves a3 and a4 and the last view entitled Daphné. The title and maps, as well as most of the medals and initials, were colored at the time. Here are the details: - Aevi Veteris, Typus Geographicus (1590). - Europa (1595). - Britannicæ insulæ (1595). - Hispania (1586). - Gallia Cæsaris (1590). - Gallia Strbonis, Ceterorumq (1594). - Belgium (1594). - Germania (1587). - Pannonia et Illyris (1590). - Italia (1594). - Italia gallica (1590). - Tuscia sive Etruria (1584). - Latium (1595). - Magna Græcia (1595). - Sicilia sive Trinacria (1584). - Græcia, sive Hellas (undated). - Thracia (1585). - Daciæ, et Mœsiæ (1595). - Pontus Euxinus (1590). - Creta. Sardinia. Corsica. Insulæ maris ionii (undated). - Cyprus. Euboea. Rhodus. Lesbos. Chios. Lemnos. Samus, Dekus, & Rhenia. Icaria. Cia (1584). - Alexandri magni Macedonis experitio (1595). - Palæstina (undated). - Judæa, et Israhel (1586). - Ægyptus (1595). - Africa propia (1590). - Peregrinatio divi Pauli (1579). - Abraham patriarchæ peregrinatio (1586). - Æneæ navigatio, ex Virgilio : additis etiam quæ ad eandem pertinebant, ex aliis (1594). - Orbis romanus, sive Romanum imperium (undated). - Tempe Thessalica (1590). A copy in contemporary binding, with all maps mounted on tabs. Between the maps of Belgium and Germany, it has been enriched with a color plan of the port of Toulon, probably from the early 17th century, signed by Agnelli. Binding soiled and stained. Body of book partly unbound. Soiling to title, marginal tears to fold of some maps, sometimes restored, except to the map of Italy where it reaches the frame and the map over 2 cm. Restored tears on the map Græcia, sive Hellas. Small wormholes generally in the margins, but one slightly reaching 3 maps (Græcia, sive Hellas, Thracia et Daciæ, and Mœsiæ). Light staining on folio f1, with a trace of a cut, but not missing, on the last plate.