Beautifully engraved world map on Mercator's projection. The cartography was closely copied from Blaeu's world map of 1606. Latin title at top, outside neatline, with German gothic script title and notation concerning the discovering of the Americas in 1492 which covers the unknown interior of North America. There is a large southern continent connected to New Guinea, California is a peninsula, and there are plenty of open ended waterways in the eastern part of North America, which leave open the question of a Northwest Passage. Two polar projections in lower corners. The map is finely decorated with sea monsters, galleons and compass roses. First state with Merian's signature bottom right.

References: Shirley #345.

Condition: A

A barely noticeable crease on verso has been reinforced with Japanese tissue, else very fine.