"Tabula Geographica, in qua Paradisus, nec non Regiones, Urbes, Oppida, et Loca Describuntur...", Plancius/Cloppenburg

This supremely graphic map is from the second series of Dutch bible maps by Petrus Plancius, first published in 1604 by Johannes Cloppenburg. The first series consisted of a world map and 4 small maps of the Holy Land and Middle East, engraved by Johannes van Deutecum and his two sons, Johannes and Baptista. After Johannes van Deutecum (the younger) published a new set of maps in 1595, Plancius realized that his own maps required updating. He commissioned Baptista van Deutecum to engrave the second series, who also enlisted the assistance of engravers Daniel van Bremden and Pieter Bast. Plancius' second series retained the same world map and 6 larger, re-engraved maps of the Holy Land and Middle East. The purpose of the maps was to help explain the biblical texts, but Plancius decided to take the maps one step further by adding 15 biblical vignettes surrounding each map, thereby transforming each map into a work of art.

This map features a large engraving of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, surrounded by a variety of animals and birds. The scene is juxtaposed beside the map locating Paradisus just south of Babylon. The sheet is then further embellished with fifteen oval vignettes from Genesis. Engraved by Baptista van Doetichum, with the large Garden of Eden vignette engraved by Daniel van Bremden. This is the second state, with the imprint of D.R. M. Mathes replacing that of Plancius. Dutch text on verso.

References: Laor #565; Poortman & Augusteijn #73.

Condition: B

A strong impression with attractive color, issued folding and now pressed flat. There are professionally repairs to two tiny worm tracks in the image at bottom center, and a printer's crease along the centerfold has been pressed flat with a minor amount of image replaced in facsimile. Remargined at right and left with 1/4" strip of the image on each side expertly and seamlessly replaced in facsimile.