Sold Antiques

M-12074: (Image: 10 1/8  x 13 7/8'') “NOVA TOTIUS TERRARUM ORBIS GEOGRAPHICA AC HYDROGRAPHICA TABULA...”  from Archontologia.   Frankfurt: Matthaus Merian, c. 1646. State 2 (lacking Merian's name lower right).  Engraved map with later hand-coloring.  (Reference:  Shirley #345).

This decorative world map was based on Blaeu's world map of 1606 and presented on Mercator's projection.  The Latin title is outside the neat-line at the top and is repeated in German gothic script beneath with a notation concerning the discovery of the Americas in 1492 placed over the unknown region of North America.  

The large southern continent connects to New Guinea, California is a peninsula, and there are numerous open ended waterways in the eastern portion of North America, leaving open the possibility of a Northwest Passage.  Two polar projections are found in the lower corners. The map is further decorated with many sea monsters, galleons and compass roses.