Catalog Archive
Auction 112, Lot 21

"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. An armillary sphere and an elaborate compass rose are tucked between the hemispheres. 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 and 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 circa 1619. French text on verso.

References: Shirley #157.

Condition: B

Small stain in Terra Australis at right. Map has been cleaned with two tears in blank margins expertly repaired. Original color has been freshened.

Estimate: $6,000 - $7,000

Unsold

Closed on 9/28/2005

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