A scarce Dutch double-hemisphere world

VALK, Gerard & Leonard.

Orbis Terrarum Nova et Accurata Tabula.
Amsterdam: Gerard Valk, c.1700. Original colour. 495 x 585mm.

An uncommon world map drawn by Gerard Valk (1652-1726) and his son Leonard (1675-1746). In the Western Hemisphere California is an island; a Northwest Passage is suggested by a 'Mer Glaciale' leading from Hudson's Bay towards the Strait of Anian; a 'Terra Incognita' fills the North Pacific; and the partial coastline of New Zealand appears, based on the mapping of Abel Tasman in 1642. In the Eastern Hemisphere the semi-mythical 'Eso' (Hokkaido) is connected to mainland Asia, with a separate 'Compagnies Land' adjacent; Australia is depicted without an east coast, with the suggestion that Cape York is connected to New Guinea and Tasmania shown as a distant island.
The decorative borders have allegorical scenes representing the Four Seasons with polar projections in the cusps.
At first glance this map is identical as Shirley's 'Mapping of the World' 638; however the plate is larger and there is more detail in the background of the vignettes. We believe this version pre-dates Shirley's, which we date to c.1720.

See SHIRLEY: 638.
Stock ID : 22928