Miniature Map of Terceira, Azores from the First English World Atlas.

Ortelius, Abraham. Phillip Galle. Tercera. "Terçera." At London [Henry Swingenius for] John Norton, 1602
Copper engraved miniature map of Terciera, Azores from "An Epitome of Ortelius his Theatre of the Worlde" English text to verso [ a description of Spain the succeeding map, which it would face].
The map is the plate by Phillip Galle as published in the Latin edition printed by Vrients in Antwerp in 1601. The island is surrounded by ships and whales in the sea. Good impression; some light soiling mainly to blank margins; small spot to lower blank margin; tiny worm track and pinholes to lower blank margin, far from printed area.

The first edition of the "Epitome" in 1577, a reduced format atlas, with miniature maps of Abraham Ortelius' Theatrum is believed to have been the initiative of the engraver Phillip Galle who asked Peter Heyns to write the text. Ortelius had fled to England in 1576 having taken refuge there from Spanish oppression, and may have been unaware of the plan of his two friends. The pocket atlas was a a commercial success
and was reprinted several times with Galle adding many new maps, and replacing some. Jan. Baptist, Vrients bought the rights and plates of the Epitome from Phillip Galle in 1601, he published 4 editions using the Galle plates of which this is the first, with Latin text.

Two editions exist with the text in English, both published in London, the present edition by John Norton An epitome of Ortelius his theatre of the world, wherin the principal regions of the earth are described in smalle mappes. With a brief declaration annexed to ech mappe … It is also amplyfied with new mappes wanting in the Latin editions. and an edition printed for Ieames Shawe, .... to be solde at his shoppe high Ludgate, entitled Abraham Ortelius, his Epitome of the theater of the worlde ...in 1603

" These two little books were the earliest world atlases to be published in England and the earliest world atlases with English text" [ R Skelton in his Bibliographical Note to the facsimile edition of the English edition of the Theatrum Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Ltd. Amsterdam 1968]


John Norton,[active 1587-1612]
"Bookseller, printer & publisher. printer to the King in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. published an epitome of Ortelius.... ca 1601 printed for him at Antwerp by Henricus Swingenius, but in all probability the first British-published world atlas; Abraham Ortelius The theatre of the world 1606 (or later), published with John Bill and the first London-published folio world atlas, again printed at Antwerp;" [British Map Engravers Laurence Worms and Ashley Baynton- Williams; 2011]
Koeman III Ort 62; Phillips 3407; STC 18857 77 by 104mm (3 by 4 inches).   ref: 2936  €50