1617 Orbis Terrarum Descriptio Duobis Planis Hemisphaeriis Comprehesa
By: Nicholas Van Geelkercken
Date: 1617 (Undated) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 16.5 x 23 inches (41.9 x 58.4 cm)
This is authentic antique map of the world by Nicholas Van Geelkercken. This is an undated version that was published out of Amsterdam.
This rare and extremely decorative double hemisphere world map was based upon Ven Geelkerkecken’s map from 1610. The cartography is similar to that of Willem Blaeu’s wall map with exception to North America. As noted in the text within a cartouche in the lower portion of the Western Hemisphere, the map was published just after Spilbergen’s passage around the strait of Magellan in 1615. This journey actually took place in 1616 and while Shirley concludes that the map would have been originally published in 1616, the earliest known copies (of which there are 2) are dated 1617.
Shirley notes: The signatures on this vividly decorative map indicate the author as Nicolaes Geelkercken and the publisher as Jan Jansson. Geographically, the map is little different from Geelkercken's [1610 world map] . . apart from a redrawn north-east coast of Asia and the omisssion of the lake in North America. However, the rich external decoration is quite new. In the corners there are rural scenes illustrating the four seasons, and, in the upper and lower center parts, panoramas of the Garden of Eden and the last Judgement. Some of the human details, milkmaids, reapers, skaters -- are particularly lively.
As previously noted, this is an example of an undated version, which due to the presentation of the geography noted above by Shirley would have been created after the 1617 version. Only one other copy of an undated version has been documented (within Shirley’s description). The map has a Shirley rarity index of RR
Condition: Map is in A condition, uncolored with a nice impression, narrow side margins (common among these maps) with enough room for framing.
Inventory #18917
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