This stunning carte-a-figures world map on Mercator's projection is one of the most richly decorated maps from the Dutch period of preeminence in cartography. While the cartography is similar to Blaeu, Visscher's map has been updated to show the discoveries around Hudson Bay and shows the St. Lawrence River extending to a small lake in the middle of North America. Two polar insets fill the bottom corners and a cartouche in the interior of North America tells of the discovery of America by Columbus, but erroneously dates the voyage to 1592. The magnificent panels surrounding the map include twelve Roman emperors on richly caparisoned horses at the top and bottom, and six groups of national figures and six vignettes of principal cities at the sides. The corners are filled with female allegorical representations of the continents; Europa in a pastoral setting, Asia seated on a camel, America as a warrior queen riding an armadillo, and Africa reclining on a crocodile. The map originated in 1639, this being the 1652 issue with Visscher's name and date near the inset of the South Pole. Rated by Shirley as rare.

References: Shirley #350.

Condition: A

Superb impression and fine later color. Professional and skilled repair of a tear extending into the right side of the map and replacement of top right corner with facsimile of border. This work is extremely well done and only visible on verso.