A splendid baroque-style world map that features hemispheres surrounded by voluptuous representation 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 water goddess and sea monsters. Tucked between the hemispheres are a celestial globe and 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. German text on verso. $9,000 RESERVE.

References: Shirley #336.

Condition: A

Superb original color. Professionally remargined at left and an expert and invisible repair of a 3" tear at right.