Baroque-Style Double-Hemisphere Map Depicting the Four Seasons

"Orbis Terrarum Nova et Accurata Tabula", Valck, Gerard and Leonard

This double-hemisphere world map is a stunning example of the baroque style that was popular at the end of the 17th century. Surrounding the map are delightful allegorical scenes representing the four seasons: joyous Spring, industrious Summer, bucolic Autumn, and icy Winter. Valck based this map on his earlier Mappe-Monde Geo-Hydrographique, or Description Generale de Globe Terrestre et Aquatique from 1686, which in turn was based on Jaillot's influential world map of 1674. California appears as an island, and a large Terra Incognita sive Terra Esonis stretches from North America to Asia. Greenland is connected to North America. Australia, Van Diemen's Land, and New Zealand are only partially delineated, and Australia appears almost connected to Terra dos Papos sive N. Guinea.

Valck updated this edition to include the newly-discovered Mississippi basin as well as the conjectural Mer Glaciale, which appears to almost connect Hudsons Bay with Mare Californie. Although the Great Lakes are still in a preliminary configuration, they are fully delineated. The southern continent has been completely erased, and the mythical Lake Parime no longer appears in South America. Insets with polar projections and additional allegorical vignettes in the cusps complete the composition.

References: Shirley #638.

Condition: B+

A fine impression with lovely color, an expertly repaired edge tear that enters 2.5" into the image at left, a few professionally repaired centerfold separations, two tiny worm holes, and a minor crease at bottom right.