![Orbis Vetus, et Orbis Veteris Utraque Continens, Terrarum[que] Tractus Arcticus, et Antarcticus. ex Platone, Theopompo, Sive Aeliano, Manilio. &c. Nicolas SANSON.](https://compassantiquemaps.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/16.jpg?width=768&height=1000&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1779698727)
Orbis Vetus, et Orbis Veteris Utraque Continens, Terrarum[que] Tractus Arcticus, et Antarcticus. ex Platone, Theopompo, Sive Aeliano, Manilio. &c.
[The Old World, and including each of the Old World's two regions of the Arctic and the Antarctic, according to Plato, Theopompus, or Aelian, Manilius etc.]
Paris: MARIETTE (the Elder), Pierre, 1657 (dated)
Size (neatline): 54.0 x 38.3 cm / 21.3 x 15.1 in
Size (sheet): 56.8 x 42.1 cm / 22.4 x 16.6 in
Technique: Copper engraving
Colour: Hand coloured
Verso: Blank
Condition: Very good
First edition of Sanson’s very uncommon map of the world
Description
This elegant double-hemisphere map of the world is rather unusual in that it is styled as a map of the ancient world, yet it is reflecting cartographic knowledge accurate for its time.
The map presents with plenty of place names in the Eastern Hemisphere, while the Americas feature simply as Plato’s fictional island of Atlantis (Atlantis Insula Platoni).
Hallmarks include:
- Northwest North America is shown as a large, vaguely defined landmass, stretching as far as Asia, almost touching Japan, and connecting to the Arctic.
- There is potential for a northwest passage, including via the hypothetical waterway shown between Asia and the conjectured northwest North America.
- On the Article Circle, the mythical Thule Island appears – the northernmost land according to the ancient Greeks.
- California is displayed as an island.
- The Great Lakes are depicted, open ended to the west.
- In the South Pacific, what could be New Guinea is shown, along with only partial coastlines of, perhaps, the Solomon and other nearby islands.
- There are incomplete coastlines for Spitsbergen/Svalbard and eastern Novaya Zemlya.
- Northeast Asia is still lacking detail.
- Korea is depicted as an island.
- The Great Wall of China appears.
- The cartographic myth of Lake Chimay is shown but not named.
- Australia is displayed incomplete, in rudimentary outline, and oddly shaped. It is depicted as being separate from a large and vaguely shaped hypothetical southern continent.
- Despite Australia giving the impression of a seemingly independent landmass, the southern continent’s coastline appears incomplete, allowing for the two to be potentially connected.
Engraved by Jean "Pruthenus" (“the Prussian”) Somer.
A most unusual and beautiful world map by the "father of French cartography".
Publication
Cartes generales de toutes les parties du monde
Condition
Very good.
Printed on watermarked paper, issued folding. Coloured in outline. Light edge toning. Minor crease at top right. Verso clean.
Item #: 00749
US $1,000.00