"Mapa Mundi o Descripcion del Globo Terrestre Compuesta Segun las Ultimas y Nuevas Observationes de las Accademias, y de Paris, y de Londres", Gendron, Pedro

This lovely double-hemisphere world map is surrounded by additional diagrams and a superb rococo cartouche. North and South polar projections are included in the cusps, and diagrams at top depict the solar system based on Ptolemy, Copernicus, Brahe and one that merges all three concepts. At bottom left is an illustration and explanation of Descartes' theory of vortices.

Cartographically, the map shows some interesting misconceptions in North America and the North Pacific that were common for the time period. A large Sea of the West (Mar de l'Ouest) is shown in the Northwest with a tributary of the Mississippi River nearly reaching it. This tributary is not named, but is likely the Missouri River or Lahontan's mythical Riviere Longue. Further spurious lakes fill the Pacific Northwest and the Canadian Arctic, including L. de Fonte, Lago Hermoso, Lago Velasco, and Lago Bernardo, creating numerous options for a Northwest Passage. In the North Pacific is a large island labeled "land discovered in the year 1741," and a small island just to the west of it is labeled Gama, identifying the land sighted by João da Gama in 1589. A partially delineated island northeast of Japan (presumably Hokkaido) is called Tierra Batavi. In the southern hemisphere, Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea and Tasmania are only partially delineated with rudimentary outlines. This is the second state, with the author's name removed from the title cartouche.

References: McGuirk #58.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with very minor soiling that is mostly confined to the blank margins, with several archivally repaired tears also confined to the blank margins.