This miniature atlas was first conceived as an ‘Epitome’ of the highly successful folio ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’ by Abraham Ortelius in 1570, the first modern world atlas. The first work was published in Antwerp in 1577 and used plates by Philippe Galle. It too proved to be very popular. No less than four further series of plates were issued for other so-called ‘miniature Ortelius’ atlases. This Italian plagiarised version was first published in Brescia in 1598 and was the work of Pietro Marchetti. A subsequent edition appeared in Venice c.1655 by G. M. Turrini. This is the following by Scipion Banca which appeared in 1667.

The maps appeared on the verso with the appropriate text on the opposing page. It is not uncommon to find plates pasted on, that in the Library of Congress has both Asia and America so. Here those of the world and Asia are pasted onto other versions of the same. The later editions appeared in 1679, 1683, and 1684 only contain continental maps. There was a further Italian edition in 1697 with a new series of plates. The 1598 edition of this map is the only one which has text printed below. Later issues appeared in 1608, c.1655, and 1667. Provenance: with manuscript ownership on front free endpaper; private collection of Paul Bentley. Koeman (1967-70) Ort. 71 (calling for only 108 maps); Phillips (1909-) 478; Shirley (2004) T.Mar 1c.