There was another English edition of the miniature Ortelius using a different series of copper plates published in the same year. Both rank as the first world atlases in the English language. “These two little books were the earliest world atlases to be published in England and the earliest world atlases with English text” (R. A. Skelton, introduction to the facsimile of the folio of the English text edition of the Theatrum, 1968). The year 1603 was a momentous one. Queen Elizabeth died in the spring, and was followed by James I who created turmoil in the country. This included imprisoning Sir Walter Raleigh to whom this book is dedicated indicating the probable time frame of publication. Provenance: Sparkes of Risby, Suffolk, signature on verso of final leaf; Sotheby’s 28 June 1985, lot 296, £1,980 to Charles W. Traylen, Guildford, Surrey, for Lord Wardingon. Koeman Ort. 65; van der Krogt 333:31; Phillips 3407; Shirley, British Library T.ORT 3c.