This map of the Persian Empire by the famous cartographer Abraham Ortelius covers the region from Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea in the west to the oasis towns of the Silk Road in what is now western China. This landmark map of Persia was included in the original Ortelius atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, first produced in 1570. This atlas was the first to present all maps in a uniform format and is considered to be the first true modern atlas. It was highly successful and from its original seventy maps and eighty-seven bibliographic references in the first edition (1570), the atlas grew through its thirty-one editions to encompass 183 references and 167 maps in 1612. Throughout the epic publication history of the atlas, this map was one of only a few that never had any changes made to the original plate. The cartography was based on Gastaldi’s map of Asia Minor (1564) and Ortelius’s own map of the Asian continent (1567). The map presents an inaccurate shape to both the Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf. Rivers and mountain ranges are displayed, and numerous principal cities and towns are noted. Latin text.

A map of Persia by Abraham Ortelius. In Very Good condition, with light plus age toning, two small dark stains, and one small puncture in center. Matted but not framed. w 25.75 in. x h 20.5 in.