This is one of the most decorative eighteenth century world maps. The two hemispheres are surrounded by vivid engravings of natural phenomena such as waterspouts, a rainbow, earthquakes, and a volcano. Wind heads occupy the starry heavens, and two cherubs hold the title banner aloft. The map itself shows a typical geographical view of the period. California is shown as an island with an indistinct Fretum Anian and Terra Esonis above it. There is a River of the West emptying into a small sea just northeast of California. The partial coastlines of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea are noted. Australia is shown to be separate from New Guinea, Carpentaria and Diemens Land. Nova Britannia is shown as a separate island off the coast of New Guinea with the notation that it was discovered by Dampier in 1700. Several explorer's tracks are traced, including Magellan, Dampier, Tasman, Gaetani and Charmont. Nestled between the hemispheres are two detailed celestial maps. Text panels at bottom describe the natural phenomena. Homann borrowed both the cartography and depictions of natural phenomenon from Zurner's similar map circa 1700.

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Condition: B

A nice impression with old color and some light soiling. There are professional repairs to short centerfold separations and two long tears in bottom half of map. Several small holes in upper celestial map have also been professionally repaired with image replaced in facsimile. Backed in Japanese tissue.