"Typus Orbis Terrarum", Mercator/Cloppenburgh

This decorative double-hemisphere map was from the fourth and last reduced version of Mercator's atlas, published by Jan Cloppenburg. In this edition, reprinted by Jansson's heirs in 1673 and 1676, Australia has been redrawn and Tasmania is named t'Land van A V. Diemen. Also in the eastern hemisphere, the Nile in Africa originates from twin lakes south of the equator, and Korea appears as a very skinny peninsula. America features numerous mountain ranges and large rivers with no Great Lakes, while South America is depicted with the two mythical lakes Lacus Parime in Guiana and Lacus Epana in Brazil. The hemispheres are supported by pillars, with illustrations of the Garden of Eden and the Last Judgment between them and the four elements of earth, fire, air and water in the far corners. The map is further adorned with sea monsters and numerous tiny sailing ships.

References: Shirley #334.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with minor toning confined to the sheet edges.