Catalog Archive
Auction 102, Lot 9

"Orbis Terrarum Tabula Recens Emendata et in Lucem Edita per N. Visscher", Visscher, Nicolas

Subject: World

Period: 1663 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.7 x 12.1 inches
47.5 x 30.7 cm
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First state of this map from a Dutch Bible published by the renowned house of Elzevier. Superb double hemisphere world map surrounded by engravings including allegorical representations of the continents as well as native inhabitants and wildlife. Visscher's decorations were so popular, they were copied by several other cartographers. Two diagrams depicting the Ptolemaic and Copernican theories of the solar system appear within the cusps of the hemispheres. The northwest coast of North America is greatly exaggerated and shows California as a peninsula. Western Australia, Van Diemen's Land and a bit of New Zealand are marked.

References: Shirley 431.

Condition: A

Professional and invisible repairs of top centerfold and tiny tears just entering map at sides.

Estimate: $2,100 - $2,500

Sold for: $1,900

Closed on 3/5/2003

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