Catalog Archive
Auction 132, Lot 19

"Orbis Terrarum Typus de Integro in Plurimis Emendatus, Auctus, et Icunculis Illustratus", Visscher, Nicolas

Subject: World

Period: 1657 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.8 x 12.2 inches
47.8 x 31 cm
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An exquisitely decorated double hemisphere world map, surrounded by engravings including allegorical representations of the continents as well as native inhabitants and wildlife. This is Visscher's first world map to be included in Dutch Bibles. It was so popular that the surrounding decorations were copied by several other cartographers. Two celestial spheres are displayed in the Eastern Hemisphere. In the lower part of the Western Hemisphere text describes the discovery of America and recent voyages of discovery. Two diagrams depicting the Ptolemaic and Copernican theories of the solar system are tucked between the hemispheres. The northwest coast of North America is exaggerated and shows California correctly as a peninsula. Parts of Australia and Van Diemen's Land are shown but the north and east coasts of Australia are not depicted. Dutch text on verso.

References: Shirley #401; Poortman & Augusteijn #83.

Condition: B

The map has been professionally backed with light Japanese tissue, strengthening the outside folds and restoring some paper loss in the margins. The upper left corner has been replaced with skilled facsimile of the border and 'ORB' of the title. A tear into the map extending into the celestial spheres have also been repaired.

Estimate: $2,100 - $2,500

Sold for: $2,200

Closed on 6/2/2010

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