Catalog Archive
Auction 144, Lot 3

"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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This superb double hemisphere world map is surrounded by engravings including allegorical representations of the continents as well as native inhabitants and wildlife. Visscher's decorations were so popular several other cartographers copied them. 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 with the fictional El Streto d'Anian, while California is shown as a peninsula. In the Pacific, Western Australia, Van Diemens Landt and a bit of New Zealand are also noted. This is the first state. Dutch text on verso.

References: Shirley #431; Poortman & Augusteijn #118.

Condition: B+

Some light soiling and minor show-through of text on verso. There are a few professionally repaired tears in blank margins that just touch neatline.

Estimate: $1,500 - $1,700

Sold for: $1,300

Closed on 4/3/2013

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