This rare world map was published in a German bible by Johann Detleffsen in Minden, and is a close but slightly larger copy of Nicolas Visscher's map first published around 1650. This exquisitely decorated double hemisphere world map is surrounded by engravings, including allegorical representations of the continents as well as native inhabitants and wildlife. 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. In the eastern hemisphere, Korea is depicted as an elongated island and the Caspian Sea is illustrated in a horizontal oval shape. Parts of Australia and Van Diemen's Land are shown but the north and east coasts of Australia are not depicted. New Guinea and New Zealand are also partially delineated. The map is surrounded in a lovely frame-style border, which was Detleffsen's unique addition to the map. German text on verso.

References: Shirley #414(A).

Condition: A

A dark impression on a bright sheet with some show-through of text on verso and professional repairs to several minor separations along the centerfold and a small chip in the top blank margin.