Exploring the Typus Orbis Terrarum by Abraham Ortelius from 1570.

If you love the feeling of holding history in your hands, then this world map is something special. Officially titled "Typus Orbis Terrarum," this piece changed the way people saw the planet forever. It was the very first map of the world to appear in what we now call a modern atlas.

Our artisan replica of Ortelius’s (1570.) world map captures the very first modern atlas view of the globe. The hand-burned edges and parchment texture make it feel like a real 16th-century discovery.

In our family workshop, we take great pride in bringing this masterpiece back to life. We use thick, hand-processed paper and a natural beeswax finish to give it a warm, authentic glow. Because we always burn the edges by hand, every piece we ship is a unique work of art that looks like a real find from a Renaissance library.

The Birth of the First Modern Atlas

Abraham Ortelius was a master cartographer from Antwerp who lived during the 1500s. In 1570, he released a book called Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, which means "Theatre of the Lands of the World".

This portrait by Rubens shows the master who created the first modern atlas. It captures the face of a man who changed how we see the world.

Before this book came out, maps were usually sold as loose sheets of all different sizes. Ortelius was the first person to gather the best maps into one book where they were all the same size and style. This was a massive success and became the most expensive book ever printed at the time. While Ortelius was busy creating the first atlas, other masters like John Speed were also starting their own mapping traditions.

Mapping a World Still Being Discovered

When you look at our Abraham Ortelius's Antique World Map replica, you are seeing the world through the eyes of someone living 450 years ago. Many parts of the globe were still a mystery.

The Enormous Southern Continent

At the bottom of the map, you will see a giant landmass called Terra Australis Nondum Cognita. This means "Southern Land Not Yet Known". Mapmakers at the time believed there had to be a huge continent in the south to balance out the weight of the lands in the north. It is a wonderful example of how imagination filled in the gaps of history.

One of the most famous parts of the 1570. map is the giant unknown southern continent. We add tiny gold highlights to the decorative scrolls in this area to help the history catch the light on your wall.

New Guinea: Island or Continent?

If you look near the south, you will find New Guinea. In 1570, explorers were not sure if it was a separate island or part of that giant southern continent. Ortelius even included a note on the map saying that people were still ignorant about its true shape.

Speculative North America

North America looks quite different on this map compared to today. There is no trace of the Great Lakes or the Mississippi River because they had not been fully explored by Europeans yet. The eastern coast juts out too far because measuring longitude was still very difficult back then.

Sea Monsters and Clouds

One of the most charming parts of the 1570. map is the decoration. The entire world is surrounded by a border of soft clouds. In the oceans, you can find mythical sea monsters patrolling the waves. In the late 1500s, maps with these fantasy animals sold much better than those without them.

Key Knowledge for Researchers

Feature	Detail
Official Name	Typus Orbis Terrarum
The Maker	Abraham Ortelius (1527. to 1598.)
The Date	1570. (Antwerp, Belgium)
First For	First world map in a standard modern atlas
Main Icons	Terra Australis, New Guinea, and sea monsters

Why Our Handcrafted Replicas are Special

We believe that a map this important deserves more than a standard machine print. In our family workshop, we follow a traditional artisan process to ensure every print is a masterpiece.

• Always Hand Burned Edges: We always burn the edges of our prints by hand. This gives each map a unique, aged look that you cannot find in a factory.

• Beeswax Finish: We finish each piece with natural beeswax. This gives the paper a soft feel and a warm glow that catches the light beautifully.

• Gold Paint Accents: We hand paint small gold details on the title scroll and the map highlights to add a touch of luxury.

• Real Historical Sources: Every print is made from real historical sources to ensure the 1570. details are sharp and clear.

Displaying History in Your Home

Because we use thick, hand-processed paper and natural beeswax, these prints are built to last for many years. We recommend placing your map in a frame to keep it safe from dust.

Many of our customers choose a float mount for their frames. This style lets the map sit slightly forward so that the hand-burned edges are easy to see from every angle. It makes the art look like a real find from an ancient library.

If you want to see exactly how we prepare our paper and apply the beeswax, you can read more about how we create our historical parchment replicas. You can also explore the history of these masterpieces in our complete guide to antique map prints. You can find this handcrafted replica and many others in the Antique Map Prints category in our shop here.

Frequently Asked Questions About the (1570.) Ortelius Map

Why is South America shaped so strangely?

In the early versions of this map, South America has a large bulge on the western coast. This was a mistake that Ortelius got from other mapmakers of the time. He eventually corrected it in later editions after more explorers returned with better measurements.

What does "Typus Orbis Terrarum" mean?

It is Latin for "Image of the World" or "Form of the Lands of the World". It was a common way for mapmakers to title their global views during the Renaissance.

Is this map geographically accurate?

It was the best geographical knowledge available in 1570, but it still includes many guesses. It is more famous today as a piece of historical art and a record of how people used to see our planet.