Morocco – Ortelius, Abraham. (1527 – 1598).

Fezzae et Marocchi regna Africae celeberrima, describebat Abrah Ortelius.

Original hand-coloured engraving. Amsterdam, Blaeu, [c.1650]. Plate Size: 49.5 cm x 38 cm. Sheet Size: 60 cm x 51 cm. Original map. Very good condition. Minor tear to centre fold at lower edge of sheet. Some minor spotting to margins. Minor stain to fore edge of recto leaf. Central vertical fold as issued. The map was orientated with Morocco’s north to the right. Latin text on reverse.

Hand-coloured border with latitudinal and longitudinal lines along margins. A highly decorative map showing the kingdom of Morocco and kingdom of Fez delineated through coloured borders. South of Spain can also be seen. Decorative title cartouche, adorned with two crowns, accompanied by two satyrs, each holding javelins/poles flying blue penant. Five ships are pictured off the Strait of Gibraltar. Villages and towns are shown as miniature views, also mountains and rivers are engraved on the map. An active volcano is depicted above Campos de Anget.

Abraham Ortelius was a Flemish cartographer and geographer, conventionally recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World). He was one of the most notable figures of the Dutch school of cartography during its golden age (approximately 1570s-1670s).

• Keywords: 17th Century · Africa · Africa, North · Cartography · Catalogue No.5 – Maps of the World · Library & Collection Building · Map · Map, African · Morocco · Morocco Map · North Africa · Original Engraving · Original Map · Original Maps · Rare Map Africa · Rare Maps Collection – Africa · Vintage Map
• Inventory Number: 200005AG