16th Century Prints

Set of Three De Bry Botanical Engravings of Indian Fruits and Spices, c.1598 – Pineapple, Mango, and Pepper An exceptional trio of original copper engravings from Theodor de Bry’s P...

Title: De Bry Engravings of Exotic Encounters – Giant Crabs, Tortoises, Whales, and Cockfights, c.1598 A remarkable set of four original copper engravings from Theodor de Bry’s cele...

Antique print titled 'Das rennen und stechen'. Engraving of a Medieval tournament. This print originates from 'Thurnier Buch. Von Anfang, Ursachen, ursprung und herkommen (..)' b...

Set of Four De Bry Botanical Engravings of Exotic Spices and Plants, c.1598 – Cinnamon, Aloe, and Aromatics of the Indies A fine and complete set of four original copper engravings ...

Set of Three De Bry Botanical Engravings of Indian Trees and Fruits, c.1598 – Coconut, Bamboo, and Cashew Description: A rare and beautifully matching set of three original copper e...

Antique print titled 'Groeninga'. View of the city of Groningen, the Netherlands. This map originates from 'Cosmographia' published by Münster. Artists and Engravers: Sebastian Münster...

Noblewoman of Naples – Antique Hand-Coloured Woodcut by Jost Amman, Plate CXLVIII, 1577 This fine 16th-century hand-coloured woodcut depicts a noblewoman from Naples, titled Nobilis...

Virgin Woman from Naples – Antique Hand-Coloured Woodcut by Jost Amman, 1577 This rare 16th-century hand-coloured woodcut depicts a virgin woman from Naples, titled Virgo Neapolitan...

Antique print titled 'Basiliensis territorii descriptio nova'. Old map of the Basel region, Switzerland. Originates from 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum' by A. Ortelius. Artists and...

This detailed engraving depicts the capture of Tournai by the forces of the Duke of Parma in 1581. The scene shows the siege and conquest of the city with meticulous illustrations of...

Original antique woodcut of a military scene. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers: Anonymous. Condition: Good, general age-rel...

Antique print titled 'Sit ferns exardet in circo tarus aperto, Cum sua terribili petit irritamina cornu'. No. 18 by A. Stradanus depicting a bull fight in Spain. Published in 1576.

Antique print titled 'Leodium'. View of Liège / Luik, Belgium with surrounding hills and the city wall. With text explaining the origins of Liège, a cartouche expressing thanks to th...

Antique print Hungary titled 'Contrafehtung der Festung Tokay'. Birds eye view of the fortress Julaof Tokay, Hungary, surrounded with Turkish troops. Originates from a German edi...

Attempt to Seize Amsterdam, 1577 — Haarlemmerpoort Assault, Hogenberg Description: This powerful late-16th-century historical engraving depicts the attempted seizure of Amsterdam on...

Albrecht Dürer, Saint Eustace. Wood engraving, 1501. Signed with the monogram A.D (Albrecht Dürer) Why not having on a wall a Masterpiece which is also ...

Groningen 1573 — Hand-Colored Woodcut City View from Münster’s Cosmographia Description: This rare and evocative 16th-century hand-colored woodcut presents a panoramic view of the c...

Pair of antique engravings by Johannes Sadeler I (1550-1600) with hand painted Italian frames. Literary work: Guduvaldus - Venezia 1598. From the s...

Ortelius Asia Japan China Taiwan Philippines East Indies Antique Map 1570 This highly important early map of Asia titled “Indiae Orientalis Insularumque Adiacientium Typus” is one of the most influential 16th-century European depictions of East and Southeast Asia. Published by Abraham Ortelius for his groundbreaking atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, this map presents a sweeping geographical vision of the Far East before the full penetration of the Dutch into the region. It covers India, Indochina, China, Korea, Japan, the Philippines, the East Indies or Spice Islands, New Guinea, and parts of the western Pacific. Ortelius was the first European cartographer to name Formosa (modern Taiwan), marking a milestone in Western geographic knowledge of Asia. Japan appears in its famous early “kite-shaped” form, shown as a large oval island...

De Bry Engraving “Wie es den Holländern in der Grundlosen Insul ergangen” – Encounter of the Dutch with Islanders, c.1599 A remarkable original copper engraving from Theodor de Bry’...

Pair of De Bry Engravings of Birds, Fish, and Sea Plants Observed en Route to India, c.1598 A fascinating pair of original copper engravings from Theodor de Bry’s Petits Voyages (Fr...

America – Indians Crossing a River, Rafts and Canoes – De Bry, Latin Edition c.1594–1596 This finely engraved and hand-colored copperplate originates from the celebrated America ser...

Set of Four De Bry Engravings of India and the East Indies, c.1598 – Cockfights, Sacred Trees, Exotic Animals, and the Eeme Bird An exceptional and matching set of four original eng...

De Bry Engraving “Expressio Germinum” – Exotic Plants of St. Lawrence Island, c.1598 A fascinating original 16th-century copper engraving from Theodor de Bry’s Petits Voyages (Frank...

Ptolemaic map of the Arabian Peninsula based on the 1548 map of Giacomo Gastaldi. It covers nearly all of the peninsula, but does not include the head of the Red Sea. The coastlines ...

Venetian Woman – Antique Hand-Coloured Woodcut by Jost Amman, Plate CXXII, 1577 This beautifully hand-coloured woodcut depicts a Venetian woman in rich 16th-century attire, titled *...

Beautiful and rare antique map of Greece with Albania, Mecedonia, Romania, Dalmatia and the peninsula of Salento to the Golf of Taranto. Also clearly shown the islands of the Aegaian...

Antique map titled 'Embdena (..)'. Old, antique bird's-eye view plan of Emden, Germany. This bird's-eye view from the southwest over the Dollart shows Emden, which developed from a trading settlement in the 7th/8th centuries into a city as late as late 14th century. In 1494 it was granted staple rights, and in 1536 the harbour was extended. In the mid-16th century Emden's port was thought to have the most ships in Europe. Its population then was about 5,000, rising to 15,000 by the end of the 16th century. The Ems flowed directly under the city walls, but its course was changed in the 17th century by the construction of a canal. Emden has canals within its city limits, a typical feature of Dutch towns, which also enabled the extension of the harbour. Emden's first herring company was founded in 1553, and in 1595 Emden was created a Free Imperial City under the protection of Holland. Published by Braun...

Title: Rare 1592 Woodcut of Exotic Animal from Sebastian Münster's "Cosmographia" Description: This intriguing woodcut, published in Basel in 1592, is from Sebastian Münster's gr...

This is a wonderful bird's-eye plan/view of the oldest city in Sweden. Visby, the largest city on the island of Gotland was an important Viking city and the main centre of the Hanseatic League...

A very rare mid-16th century black and white map of North and West Africa called Mauritania by the Italian cartographic editor Girolamo Ruscelli. T...

This engraving illustrates the capture of Limburg by Spanish forces under the command of Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma, in 1578 during the Eighty Years' War. The scene vividly dep...

A rare engraving titled “IN ADAM OMNES MORIUNTUR” (All die in Adam) by Johann Sadeler after a work by Maerten de Vos, depicting Adam taking the forbidden fruit from Eve. Signed and...

One sheet with two engraved maps, one on each site, and text in Italian. Late 16th century copper engravings in great condition, considering its age. "Tavola Decima Dell'Asia" - Tabula Asiae X" Plate X (10). Pakistan, Cashmir, Bangla Desh, North-India...

A very rare - finest quality - mid 16th century Italian Renaissance engraving (after Raphael) by an anonymous pupil of MARCANTONIO RAIMONDI (1480-...

Antique print, titled: 'Sigibertus I Metensis Rex (…)' Original and very rare antique print showing a full length portrait of Sigebert I (c. 535 – c. 575), the Germanic king of...

A very fine impression of this map of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, with Singapore denoted as 'Cinca Pula'. Highly distorted and inaccurate map by Girolamo Ruscelli after J...

The 'Battle for the Kauwenstein Dijk', engraved and titled Pugna in Aggerere Covenstio Anno 1585, depicts a significant battle during the Siege of Antwerp on 26 May 1585. The engraving illustrates the fierce combat around the Kauwenstein embankment, where the Spanish forces under the Duke of Parma attempted to cut off supplies to the city of Antwerp, leading to intense fighting. The scene vividly portrays soldiers engaged in close combat, naval forces in the background, and smoke rising from the battlefield as cannon fire and musket shots fill the air. The embankment, partially breached, is a focal point, showing the chaotic nature of the battle as forces from both sides converge. At the top, the title is inscribed in Latin, and a detailed legend (A-O) at the bottom provides further explanations about various parts of the battle, referencing key locations, troops, and actions. The detailed precision of the engraving reflects the high level of craftsmanship typical of 16th-century military engravings...

Title: Portrait of Abraham Ortelius Engraved by Philippe Galle, first published in 1579, featured in the *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum*. Description: This is a meticulously detailed portrait of Abraham Ortelius (1527–1598), the renowned Flemish cartographer, geographer, and creator of the first modern atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. This copperplate engraving, crafted by the master engraver Philippe Galle (1537–1612), was first published in the 1579 edition of Ortelius’s groundbreaking work. The image presents a bust-length profile of Ortelius facing to the left, emphasizing his austere yet intellectual presence. He is depicted wearing formal attire typical of the late Renaissance period, including a richly textured doublet with a fur-lined collar and a finely detailed ruff around his neck. His aged, yet determined face, with a pointed beard and furrowed brow, symbolizes his deep dedication to the study of geography and cartography. Surrounding the portrait is an elaborate architectural and floral frame, characteristic of late 16th-century Mannerist designs, which conveys a sense of both intellectual grandeur and artistic sophistication. At the top of the frame is a "Chi Rho" symbol, representing Christ, and emphasizing the religious underpinnings of Ortelius's worldview. The Latin inscription below the portrait reads: "Spectandum dedit Ortelius mortalib. orbem, Orbi spectandum Galleus Ortelium" ("Ortelius gave the world to be seen by mortals, Galleus gave Ortelius to be seen by the world.") This suggests the lasting legacy of Ortelius’s work in mapping the known world and how Galle, through his engraving, immortalized Ortelius himself. About the Engraver: Philippe Galle (1537–1612) was a prominent Flemish engraver and publisher, known for his precision and technical skill in copperplate engraving. Galle often worked with leading figures of his time, producing prints that highlighted important cultural, intellectual, and political figures. His engraving technique involved etching intricate lines and textures onto a copperplate, which would then be inked and pressed onto paper to produce highly detailed prints. His collaboration with Ortelius on this project further solidified his reputation as a master engraver. Why Ortelius was Important: Abraham Ortelius is celebrated as one of the founders of modern cartography. His atlas, *Theatrum Orbis Terrarum* (Theatre of the World), published in 1570, was the first to gather a comprehensive collection of maps into a single, standardized volume. This work marked a turning point in the history of geography by establishing a modern understanding of world mapping. Ortelius also significantly contributed to geographic knowledge by incorporating information from various cartographers, which helped to unify mapmaking practices across Europe. Ortelius's work not only aided navigators and explorers but also influenced scholars and rulers in their understanding of the world. His reputation extended well beyond his home in Antwerp, making him one of the most respected intellectuals of his time. Keywords: Abraham Ortelius portrait, Philippe Galle engraving, 1579 Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Renaissance cartography, Ortelius atlas, historical cartographer portrait, copperplate engraving, Mannerist engravings...

This is an original engraved print from 1585, depicting the construction plans for the ship bridge built by the Duke of Parma during the Siege of Antwerp in the Eighty Years' War. ...

Antique map titled 'Insularum Aliquot Maris Mediterranei Descriptio'. A very attractive example of Ortelius' map combining, on one page, maps of the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Corfu, Elba, Malta and Zerbi (Jerba, off the coast of Tunisia.) The maps detail fortifications on the islands and other major features. (Jerba, for instance, is shown connected to the mainland by a causeway.) The waters are attractively engraved and are sailed by ships. A shipwreck, north of Malta, indicates the point at which St. Paul is thought to have shipwrecked. Volcanoes are indicated in the Sicily map...

Antique print titled ''Ernestus Ferreus Arch'. **Ernest the Iron (1377-1424)** Background: Ernest the Iron, also known as Ernst der Eiserne, was a member of the House of Habsburg....

"Rare 1582 Copper Engraving of Hanseatic House, Antwerp by Guicciardini" This copper engraving, published in 1582 by Christoph Plantin in Antwerp, presents the impressive Hanseatic ...

Antique print titled 'Egrana civitas olim de imperio Romanorum (..)'. Important early view of the walled town of Eger, or Cheb, in the Czech Republic, including the city's coat of ar...

This print depicts the Antwerp warship Fin de la guerre, a massive vessel constructed during the Siege of Antwerp (1584-1585). It is a copperplate-engraved oblique profile of the D...

Antique map titled 'Tabula Asiae XI'. Based on the interpretations of Solinus and Munster, this Ptolemaic map covers the region roughly of Thailand and Malaysia. An oddly shaped (Mal...

Antique map titled 'Westfalia cum dioecelsi Bremensi'. Original antique map of Germany. Published by Mercator/Hondius, circa '1620' 17th Century antique detailled map of Westphali...

Antique print titled 'Huum Opp. Condrusorum Caput (..)'. Attractive bird’s eye view of Huy in present day Belgium. The view shows the city from the northeast. Huy, a municipality of ...

Antique print titled 'Lympurch - Limburgum Oppidum (..)'. Attractive bird’s eye view of Limbourg in present day Belgium. Limbourg (or Limburg) is a city and municipality of Wallonia ...

Antique map titled 'Aegypti recentior descriptio - Carthaginis Celeberrimi sinus typus'. Two detailed regional maps by Ortelius. One map shows the region around the Nile, as far as A...

Antique map titled 'Westmorlandia, Lancastria, Caernvan, Denbigh, Flint, Merionidh, Dalopia cum issulis Mania et Anglesey'. Original antique map of England...

Antique print titled 'Abbildung der Statt Rom/wie sie von Romulo anfänge - Von Italia'. Woodcut of ancient Rome. This print originates from Munster's Cosmographia, one of the most in...

Antique map titled 'Dordrecht'. Map of the city of Dordrecht, the Netherlands. Bird's-eye plan view of the city, with many ships and two coats of arms in upper corners. This map ...

Antique map titled 'La Paincture de la cité de Colmar & du pais circonuoisin'. Original antique bird's-eye view of Colmar, Alsace, France. This map originates from 'La Cosmograph...

Antique print titled 'Wie die Burger von Amstelredam der Staten volck Wider auß der Statt treiben'. Original antique print showing the troops of William of Orange battling with the c...

Antique map titled 'Liberae et Hanseaticae urbis Daventriensis delineatio'. Original bird's eye plan of the Dutch hanseatic city Deventer, on the situated IJssel river. This map ...

Antique map titled 'Partie de Danemarc'. Map of the island of Zealand, Denmark, including the city of Copenhagen. This map originates from 'Cosmographie Universelle' by André Thevet.

Antique map titled 'Gelriae, Cliviae, Finitimorumque Locorum Verissima Descriptio Christiano Schrot. Auctore'. This superb map is Ortelius' first plate covering Gelderland. It is b...

Antique map titled 'Frisia Orientalis'. Beautiful map of east Frisian islands and the northwestern tip of Germany, Ostfriesland. With people in local costumes. Ornamented inset of the Eems estuary. Based on a manuscript map...

Antique map titled 'Frisia Occidentalis'. Old map of the province of Friesland, the Netherlands. This map is also known as the 'Pauwenkaart' ('peacock map'), referring to the peacock next to the inset map. Based on a manuscript map...