First state of this superb double hemisphere world map, surrounded by engravings including allegorical representations of the continents as well as native inhabitants and wildlife. Visscher's decorations were so popular several other cartographers copied them. Two diagrams depicting the Ptolemaic and Copernican theories of the solar system appear within the cusps of the hemispheres. The northwest coast of North America is greatly exaggerated with the fictional El Streto d'Anian while California is shown as a peninsula. In the Pacific, Western Australia, Van Diemens Landt and a bit of New Zealand are also noted. Dutch text on verso.

References: Shirley #431; Poortman & Augusteijn #118.

Condition: A

Nice, dark impression. Professional reinforcement of the outer folds and replacement of the lower right corner margin.