This large, handsome, and uncommon map is based on the work of the famous French cartographer Guillaume Delisle. The northwest coast of North America is left completely blank. The routes of several important explorers and their discoveries are marked, including Magellan, Tasman, Noort, Gaytan, Quiros, and Mendana. Australia and New Zealand are only partially mapped. One of the most interesting features of the map is the appearance in the North Atlantic of the mythical island of Frislandia, which disappeared from most maps in the late seventeenth century. The map is set into an finely engraved framework with two polar spheres and a delightful baroque title cartouche featuring the allegorical female representations of the continents.

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Condition: B

On a watermarked sheet with contemporary color. There is light toning, moderate soiling, and a few small stains. A couple of centerfold separations and related short tear at bottom have been closed on verso with archival materials.