| / Rare Book Room Rare Book Room > Rare Books Features |
 FAQDirectoryForumFeatureRecently Featured |
 |
 |
 |
The modern form of the atlas was introduced in 1570 with the publication of Theatrum orbis terrarum by the Flemish geographer Abraham Ortelius. In 1595, his friend Gerardus Mercator published Atlas sive cosmographicae. On its cover was a figure of the titan Atlas holding a globe on his shoulders. The name Atlas subsequently came to be applied to volumes of maps and information in this format. Here is a small selection of some of the most collectible and rare atlases found at AbeBooks.  | 
Are you interested in learning more about maps? Many of AbeBooks' booksellers have a multitude of books on maps and collectible maps. Check out our Maps feature in the Rare Book Room to learn more. | |
|
An exceptionally large composite atlas from the Golden Age of Dutch mapmaking. The firm of Visscher was one of the most distinguished publishers of maps and atlases of the late seventeenth century. In addition to maps of their own creation, the Visschers' Atlas Minor contained the work of such notable cartographers as Blaeu, Jansson, Allard and De Wit. SOLD
This is a magnificent English composite atlas of the West Indies. A composite atlas, or "atlas factice", is a unique, bound collection of maps selected for a particular client or purpose. The atlas was compiled during the last years of the American Revolution, around 1780, when the Caribbean was a major Theatre of War. The result is what must be the finest eighteenth century cartographical collection devoted to the West Indian Islands in private hands today. SOLD |
A very rare complete set of the first systematic city atlas. 'The Civitates is one of the great books of the World. A wonderful compendium of knowledge of life in Europe in the sixteenth century even further it gives a visual printed record of mediaeval Europe, and is one of the most valuable sources remaining to the student and historian of these periods." (R.V.Tooley). The combination of an initial 45 year span between the publication of the first and last volumes, and the more recent search for individual plates for their decorative qualities has ensured that very few complete of the present work remain. SOLD
The acclaim that Blaeu's atlas has always received is based primarily upon its extremely high production standards. The quality of the engraving, the paper, and coloring are of the highest order, and place it in the first rank among seventeenth century illustrated books. The maps are embellished in the Baroque style, and many rank among the most beautiful ever made. $225,000.00 | |
tlases: We were brought up with atlases-- they adorned our coffee tables, they were consulted to plan our trips, and they helped us write our reports for geography and other classes. We referred to them when an unknown place was mentioned in conversation or on the news.
Atlas minor sive geographia compendiosa
Composite Atlas with manuscript title 'West India Atlas' 
Civitates Orbis Terrarum 
