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he Theatrum Orbis Terrarum , the edition belonging to the Istituto Geografico Militare in Florence (dated 1585), represents the most advanced step of the work aiming at the improvement of the mapping technique of the then know world done by Abraham Ortelius, after the first edition of his work published by Plantin’s printing house in Antwerp in 1570.

Ortelius, a great Dutch geographer (1527 - 1598) put together all the geographic and map making knowledge of his days and reproduced in 147 spectacular engraved tables the most faithful image of the world as it was known in his days. To these he added some most remarkable "historic maps" showing districts and itineraries from literature, mythology and tradition. The work met with an exceptional editorial success, due not only to the plates but also to the text which is an authentic geographic and cartographic encyclopedia, with technical information as to methods of projection and names of distinguished map-makers. Because of its value, and also due to its exquisite decorations, this work became the victim of continuous mutilations and dismemberment on behalf of merchants and collectors, so much so that today only very few intact copies remain.

Among these the magnificent one of the Istituto Geografico Militare, with its beautiful antique water coloured plates, which is reproduced in perfect facsimile in this volume.

The volume (size 295 x 453 mm) comes with a coloured dust jacket and a cardboard slipcase.

The Facsimile is limited to 998 numbered copies world-wide.