Orbis terrae compendiosa descriptio.

Copper engr., 29 x 52 cm (sl. browned, two cracks in pl. across the top box).

Framed (not studied outside frame).

Extremely rare double hemisphere map by Rumold Mercator, based upon Gerard Mercator’s celebrated 1569 world map and published during his lifetime (1512-1594). Although the map is a reduced version of the 1569 wall map it does not show the revolutionary Mercator Projection. From 1620 onwards, the cracks in the plate had extended almost completely across the top box containing the title, as evident on this copy.
Ref. Van der Krogt I [0001:1A]. - Shirley 157. - Watelet 379. - Karrow 56/17.10.