This famous map is a supreme example of the mapmaker's art with carte-a-figures border depicting allegorical representations of the sun, moon, and the five known planets, the four elements and the four seasons. Along the bottom are vignettes showing the seven wonders of the world: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus over the harbor at Rhodes, the Pyramids, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus at Cairo, the Temple of Diana, the Statue of Jupiter and the lighthouse at Alexandria. Petrus Plancius' world map of 1592 was the main source of geographical information. The map itself is richly decorated with cartouches, sea battles, monsters and compass roses. German text on verso.

References: Goss (Blaeu) #1; Shirley #255, state 4.

Condition: B

Light even toning with old color. Expert repairs in margins and a couple of tears in map. The tear entering the Mars vignette extends through Scandinavia. All repairs are extremely well done and only visible in the margin.