"Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula", Blaeu, Willem

This is a supreme example of the mapmaker's art with carte-a-figures border depicting allegorical representations of the sun, moon, and the five known planets, the four elements and the four seasons. Along the bottom are vignettes showing the seven wonders of the world: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus over the harbor at Rhodes, the Pyramids, the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus at Cairo, the Temple of Diana, the Statue of Jupiter and the lighthouse at Alexandria. Petrus Plancius' world map of 1592 was the main source of geographical information. The map itself is richly decorated with cartouches, sea battles, monsters and compass roses.

References: Shirley #255, state 4.

Condition: A

Map fine with attractive original color. Light damp stain in upper margin and a short tear in bottom margin, expertly repaired. Two minor printer's creases.