After another bout of flattery, Braun signs of his letter: “And so and so, farewell my brilliant Abraham, and if, through foolishness, I have been the cause of any offence, about which I know nothing, I appeal to your kindness, forgive me. And so, with your approval, I now determine that, as a first description, its origins and name should be explained, since it follows the way of uniting the separate parts, you see”. I also wish to add an accurate explanation, worthy of such a city. He continues with some advice about one of Ortelius’ maps in particular: “You are not unaware that the city of Antwerp, on the fifth map, a most majestic map, must undoubtedly be seen shown over two pages. See, what attempt at imperfection will separate those things which the world and its undertakings have joined together?”. Thus after Sicily, Trepani and Palermo, Catania will follow in the correct order. And placing the cities with the individual regions, they produce two volumes. And I will always defend it, with my brotherly respect”.Īfter such ardent declarations of affection, Braun once again lavishes praise on the map of Catania, and says that “it will ornament my fifth Theatrum, and work on the principle of the Italians, who combine the Theatrum orbis and the cities in one neat series, so that they appear to be one continuous work. Truly, your brilliance has been praised by all, and it often expertly outshines me. I really and truly love you, and…I see that, although you held a bad opinion about me, filled with false suspicion, however you have not stopped loving me. The proof of our collaboration is a glory and comfort to me. And so, since I am aware of no hostility, much less any hostility on my part, tell me. For I very much to know how the inner thoughts of your conscience might render me less guilty. How am I an enemy, and indeed ‘very much an enemy’, to you? By what deed or word or command, then? Thus I ask you, my dear one, Ortelius, should I think nothing of this? Or is it because the lover suspects everything? But again I ask this most sincerely, what the cause of your mistrust is, lest you are reluctant to explain. Shocking and mysterious words, which I can’t imagine you saying. “Thus the map attained my greatest admiration, and yet it almost stunned me that it said: To Georg Braun, although he is very much an enemy to me, although I am a friend to him against his will. He goes on to express concern, however, about the dedication on the map: It is most pleasing to me and I value it uniquely, because I always used to admire it at your’s, and still now admire it, and know that the memory is still strong”. Braun” to “the most brilliant and best of good friends”, Abraham Ortelius, discussing their friendship, Braun’s ‘Civitates orbis terrarum’ and Ortelius’s ‘Theatrum’.īraun begins the letter by explaining that he “recently got the map of Catania, Sicily, sent from our Hogenberg. Abraham Ortelius also produced a collection of place names "Thesaurus Geographicus", which is of similar importance.Autograph letter written in Latin and signed, “G. Any subsequent editions after 1598 were published by Jan Baptiste Vrients, who purchased the rights after the death of Abraham Ortelius and his beneficiaries. It proved to be an enormous success for Abraham Ortelius and his beneficiaries.Ībraham Ortelius was the first cartographer, who named the sources of his maps by mentioning the cartographers. In its time, "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum" was so successful, that it had to be re-printed 4 times in the first year of its publishing alone.īetween 15 the atlas was published in 42 editions and the 7 languages Latin, German, Flemish, French, Spanish, English and Italian. He also spent time with cartography and published the first world atlas, "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum", which was probably the first collection of maps in the shape of a book, 20 years before Mercator published his world atlas. He studied Greek, Latin and mathematics in Antwerp and worked as a map and book dealer. Abraham Ortelius was a Dutch geographer and cartographer, born in Antwerp on April 14, 1527.
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