ORTELIUS (Abraham). Theatrum orbis terrarum. Antwerp, Plantin, [at colophon] 1598 [for 1613]. In-folio, 44 x 29.5 cm, 4 ff. [A]1 -A4 including engraved title, 91 maps, 2 ff. a1-a2 (table and privilege); contemporary vellum. Rare Dutch edition by the widow and sons of Jan Moretus. It contains an allegorical title with female figures of the five continents, and 91 numbered maps on double pages, the dates varying from 1570 to 1605, and each preceded by a description. "Although the colophon is dated 1598, this edition was published in 1613. After the death of Jan Baptist Vrients in 1611, the copperplates were sold to Jan and Balthasar Moretus, sons of Jan Moretus, who had died in 1610. From the heirs of the Amsterdam publisher Cornelis Claesz, they bought the text sheets of the Dutch Theatrum of 1598, enough sheets to make about 145 copies, though probably not enough for the preliminary section and the end matter. In September 1613, the Moretuses received a copy of the Dutch Theatrum to serve as a model for the setting of the new pages. The new 'edition' - in fact, only the preliminary matter and the end matter (including the colophon dated 1598) were newly printed - would have been published late in 1613." (Koeman's atlantes neerlandici, 2003: III A, 31:122). Koeman lists only 6 copies in public collections, some of which are incomplete. Considered to be the first "atlas" (i.e. a collection of maps of the same dimensions, classified and accompanied by a description), the Theatrum orbis terrarum first appeared in Antwerp in 1570. A huge success, the atlas went through more than 30 editions up to 1612, increasing from 53 maps in 1570 to 167 maps in 1612. The entire volume is mounted on tabs. On the verso of map 53, Italia, an old map of the "Pais de la Valetolinne" has been glued. Some maps are slightly detached. Title heavily soiled, with engraved portrait of Ortelius added to verso; title and last 2 leaves angularly missing and margins faded. Mottling throughout the volume, soiling. Handled vellum damaged, stained, upper cap missing, jaws split.