Catalog Archive
Auction 109, Lot 11

"Orbis Terrae Compendiosa Descriptio", Mercator, Rumold

Subject: World

Period: 1587 (dated)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
20.6 x 11.5 inches
52.3 x 29.2 cm
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Beautiful double hemisphere map surrounded in an elaborate strapwork border. Between the hemispheres are an armillary sphere and an elaborate compass rose. Rumold based the map on his father's great world map of 1569. The North Pole is depicted as a landmass surrounding a sea from which four rivers radiate. There is a well depicted Northwest Passage. In the Antarctic is the imaginary southern continent and there is a bulge in the southwest coast of South America. The map embodies many ancient authorities and is a wonderful view of classical cartography. Cracks in the copper plate are visible in the title, indicating a later publication (Latin) circa 1619.

References: Shirley #157.

Condition: A

Light foxing in blank margins. Tissue repairs on centerfold in blank margins. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.

Estimate: $6,000 - $7,000

Sold for: $5,000

Closed on 12/1/2004

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