1977 copy of 1652 World Map

The Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula (Latin for "A new complete map of the geography of the earth and oceans") is a masterpiece of 17th-century Dutch cartography created by the renowned engraver and map publisher Claes Janszoon Visscher (who often signed his works using the Latinised version of his name, N. I. Piscator).

🕰️ A Mid-to-Late 20th-Century Vintage Reproduction

This is a mid-to-late 20th-century vintage reproduction. During the 1970s, there was a major global trend in home decor for "old-world style" libraries and living rooms, leading publishers to print high-quality replicas of famous 17th-century Dutch maps.

• Aged Paper Lithographs: Standard ink-on-paper prints, where the paper was treated or tinted with a yellowish-brown sepia tone to mimic the appearance of centuries-old vellum or parchment.
• Laminated
• This copy has some edge cracking that has been sealed by the laminate

Historical Significance

First published in 1652 in Amsterdam, this hand-coloured, Mercator projection world map represents the peak of the "Golden Age of Dutch Cartography," blending scientific geographical knowledge with rich artistic ornamentation.

Key Artistic & Visual Features

Visscher's map is highly celebrated for its elaborate decorative border panels that surround the central geographical grid. Key highlights include:

• Twelve Roman Emperors:
  The top and bottom borders feature detailed portraits of twelve Roman emperors, running chronologically from Julius Caesar to Domitianus.

• Global Costumes & Figures:
  The left and right vertical borders are flanked by panels showing figures of diverse nationalities and indigenous peoples from the far reaches of the globe.

• Vignettes of Principal Cities:
  Interspersed alongside the cultural figures are illustrated window views of major global hubs and ports of the era, including Rome, Amsterdam, Jerusalem, Tunis, Mexico City, Havana, Pernambuco (Brazil), and San Salvador.

• Allegorical Continents:
  The four corners of the map sheet contain detailed female allegorical representations of the four known continents: Europa, Asia, America, and Africa.

• Mythological & Mythical Details:
  The oceans are adorned with illustrations of sailing ships and mythical sea monsters. In the lower cartouche, America is represented by an Indigenous figure riding an armadillo.