Henricus Hondius created this baroque-style world map when he updated the Mercator Atlas in response to competition from the Blaeu publishing firm. The map features hemispheres surrounded by voluptuous representations of the four elements: Fire by Apollo driving the Sun's chariot across the sky; Aeros, the goddess of Air, surrounded by clouds and birds; Mother Earth, surrounded by animals and the earth's bounty; and Water represented by a Siren and sea monsters. Tucked between the hemispheres are a celestial globe with the figure of the sun at top, and a scene of Europa receiving tribute from Asia, America and Africa with a figure of the moon at bottom. Four portraits fill the corners: Julius Caesar, Claudius Ptolemy, Jodocus Hondius and Gerard Mercator. The scenes are all beautifully linked together with a rich garland of fruit. For geographical detail Hondius presents California as an island, the Dutch discoveries on the Carpentaria coast of Australia, and Queen Anne's forland (Baffin's Island) on the northeast coast of Canada. The faint outline of Terra Australis Incognita is still in evidence. French text on verso, published between 1639-49. This is the first state.

References: Shirley #336; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #0001:1C.2.

Condition: B+

Nice impression and color with two small worm holes in top corners of the image. Professionally backed with Japanese tissue to repair several chips and tears in the blank margins as well as three tears that extend into map: 3" adjacent to centerfold at bottom, 2" at right, and 3.5" at right. A professionally restored example that presents itself beautifully.