Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica ac Hydrographica Tabula auct.

This classic single-sheet world map on Mercator’s projection, brought our by Willem J. Blaeu in 1606, remained in active circulation for over fifty years. It is celebrated as one of the supreme examples of the map maker’s art and because it was later reprinted in atlas form is to be found in may private collections. The map itself has been expertly reduced from Blaeu’s large world map of 1605, the engraver Josua van den Ende signing this single-sheet version. Blaeu’s name appears in the title under his early patronym Janszoon, and the lower right-hand cartouche is similarly signed and is dated 1606. The most striking characteristics of Blaeu’s map are the superb border decorations. Along the top are allegorical representations of the sun and moon and the five known planets — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. Down the sides are, on the left, four panels illustrating the elements 9Fire, Air, Water, and Earth), and on the right, the four seasons. Along the bottom are seven vignettes showing the seven wonders of the world: the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus over the harbor at Rhodes, the Pyramids (very quaintly depicted), the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus at Caria, the Temple of Diana (in Dutch baroque style), the Statue of Jupiter, and the conical lighthouse of Alexandria. Blaeu’s map was originally issued separately, and four states have been recorded, this map is state four. This map contains printed text on the back, as well as numerous sailing ships and sea monsters. Also shown are two hemisphere maps of the North and South Polar regions. A stunning map from the golden age of cartography.

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