"Orbis Vetus in utraque Continente juxta Mentem Sansonianam Distinctus, nec non Observationibus Astronomicis Redactus…", Robert de Vaugondy, Didier

This impressive, large double hemisphere world map is beautifully engraved in the robust style characteristic of Robert de Vaugondy. The map presents a historical perspective by depicting 18th century cartography, but only those place names that were known to the ancients. The continents are divided into ten regions named for ten sons of Neptune. The Western Hemisphere is labeled Atlantis Insula and the northwest coast of North America is completely blank. In the Eastern Hemisphere, the explored bits of the Australian coastline are shown and connected into a conjectured shape by dotted lines. There are several quotations from ancient authors, most referring to the legendary Atlantis. The map is decorated with two large cartouches tucked between the spheres. The top cartouche features Father Time and two putti.

References: Pedley #13.

Condition: B+

Original outline color with some very faint offsetting in the image along with a few wormholes and light soiling in the blank margins.