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 here 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. This example is state 3 from a Dutch Bible with the attribution D.R.M. Mathes. It is beautifully engraved in a strapwork surround with a compass rose and armillary sphere tucked between the hemispheres.

References: Shirley #177 (noted as rare).

Condition: B

1/2" at each side has been replaced including excellent facsimile of the engraving. Despite the restoration it is a very nice, decorative example of this scarce map.