Antique Map of the East Indies by Ortelius (c.1603)

Description: Antique map titled 'Indiae Orientalis Insularumque Adiacientium Typus'. One of the earliest published maps of the East Indies, decorated with a pair of frolicking mermaids, galleons, sea monsters, a crest and decorative title within a strap work frame. Ortelius's map of the Indies improved upon the positioning of the all important Moluccas (the Spice Islands), than those of Gastaldi 1548, Ramusio 1554 and Forlani 1565. His map of Asia and this one, are the first published works to definitely map the island of Formosa (Taiwan) and to identify it by that name. Originates from 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum'.

Artists and Engravers: Abraham Ortelius, Flemish cartographer and geographer, conventionally recognized as the creator of the first modern atlas, the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (Theatre of the World). He is also believed to be the first person to imagine that the continents were joined together before drifting to their present positions.