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Abraham Ortelius; 1528-1598.
Ortelius name is often associated with Ptolemy and Mercator, when evocating the founding fathers of cartography. Abaham Ortel (Ortelius), born in Antwerp, trained in classics and math. He became a book dealer and a map colorist. Widely traveling to attend fairs, he befriended many literati, in his homeland and abroad.
Upon their encouragement, he engaged in 1570 in the “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum” project, by collecting maps, charts and plans among diverse cartographers, and having Frans Hogenberg* re-engrave them in the same uniform size and style, to form the first known modern Atlas (even though this term was not used for another twenty years,.... by his major competitor: Gerard Mercator!).
The Theatrum knew an immediate and lasting success, being re-issued many times over in different languages. It always gave credit to the sources of information and other contributors used to produce the maps (a practice few followed in those days.).
Of note: the 42 editions of the “Theatrum” between 1570 and 1612, the 1577 “Spiegel der Werel” (reduced version of the Theatrum engraved by Philippe Galle, issued till 1585); and the 1579 "Parergon Theatri" (historical atlas, reissued till 1624).

*Hogenberg associated with Georg Braun, is famous for their 1572 “Civitates orbis terrarum”, a compilation of plans of the most significant towns of the time, being recycled many times till 1750 by Abraham Hogenberg, Frederick de Wit, Pieter van der Aa, Covens & Mortier.

Peregrinationis Divi Pauli Typus Corographicus.
This large map (20” X 13 7/8”) has been designed for the 1579 edition of the Theatrum. The present item was actually printed for the 1592 Latin issue of the work.
Its style is rather unusual for Ortelius, with its two vignettes it looks like a tentative “carte à figures”, a style which will be all the rage in the first half of the XVIth century (specially with cartographers such as Willem Blaeu, Jan Jansson and John Speed).
It shows the geographic area where Apostle Paul travelled, preaching, converting heathens, organizing religious communities.
Notice the island of Malta where Paul's boat was wrecked.
The left vignette shows the biblical episode of the conversion of Paul when he was travelling on the road to Damascus. While the right vignette shows the fire lit on the shore of Malta after the wreckage (Paul had been bitten by a snake while gathering kindlings, and miraculously did not get poisoned by the venom).
No text on verso.