The Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kircher was one of the first compilers of semi-scientific knowledge about the physical features of the world. This extraordinary map depicts ocean currents, volcanoes and deep-sea chasms. The continents are void of political detail and only major lakes, rivers and volcanoes are shown. There are prominent Northwest and Northeast sea passages and a vast southern continent. Kircher's theories included the notion that the world's oceans were all interconnected and subterranean tunnels are shown connecting the oceans and seas. Published in a Dutch edition of Kircher's famous Subterranean World.
References: Shirley #436.
Condition: A
A crisp impression on a bright sheet, issued folding with several small worm holes that have been professionally infilled.