"Nova et Accurata Poli Arctici et Terrarum Circum Iacentium Descriptio", Jansson, Jan

This beautiful map, originally published in 1637, eventually replaced Hondius' map of the North Pole and became the prototype for many later maps including those of Blaeu. This map incorporates the discoveries made by Captain Thomas James along the southern and western shores of Hudson Bay in 1631-2. The delineation on Russia's Arctic coast is derived from the information from Willem Barents' exploration of 1596-7. A small island off the coast of Lapland is named for the English explorer Hugh Willoughby (Sr. Hugo Willoughby's Landt), who led a failed expedition to find a Northeast Passage in 1553. Rhumb lines radiate from the North Pole, and several compass roses embellish the chart. A large title cartouche, with two figures and numerous wind heads, conveniently hides the northwest coast of America. The map is further decorated with ships and a cartouche with Jansson’s imprint, which depicts men in parkas, a polar bear, and foxes. This is the second state of the map with a legend beneath the cartouche. Latin text on verso, published between 1650-52.

References: Burden #250; cf. Kershaw #108a; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #0020:1C:1:404/5 .

Condition: B+

Full original color on a lightly toned sheet with an abrasion along the centerfold at top, a couple short splits along the centerfold, minor color offsetting, and faint show-through of text on verso. A centerfold separation that just enters image at bottom has been closed on verso with archival tape.