This handsome world map, first issued in 1590, was based on Rumold Mercator's map of 1587. It incorporates the improvements made by Ortelius with a re-shaped South America and inclusion of the Solomon Islands. Plancius introduced new information, based on Portuguese reports, on the far-west coast of America and the western coastline of Africa. Japan is shown for the first time as one small and three larger islands, although still misshapen. It is beautifully engraved in a strapwork surround with a compass rose and armillary sphere tucked between the hemispheres. This example is the third state from a Dutch Bible with the attribution D.R.M. Mathes. Engraved by Baptista Doeticum, Dutch text on verso.

References: Shirley #177; Poortman & Augusteijn #72.

Condition: B

Dutch Bible maps are often found with damaged side margins and this map has been remargined at both sides with expert facsimile of a portion of the borders and just a bit of the decorative surround. There are additional professional paper repairs along the centerfold.