Nova et accuratissima totius terrarum orbis tabula

Acquired From: Gowrie Galleries

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: Yes

Date Acquired: 6/4/2001

Dealers ID No.: M45 (STK 1071.01)

Description: Nova et accuratissima totius terrarum orbis tabula (A new and most accurate map of the whole world) is a double-hemisphere world map created by Joan Blaeu, one of the leading figures of the Dutch Golden Age of cartography. First included in his 1662 Atlas Maior, this map is notable for its extraordinary artistic detail and rich symbolic framework, combining empirical geography with mythological and theological elements.nThe hemispheres chart the known world as it stood in the mid-seventeenth century, incorporating recent Dutch voyages, particularly in the Pacific and Southern Hemisphere. Notably, the map includes Abel Tasmans discoveries from his voyages of 164243 and 1644, clearly labelling Tasmania as Antony van Diemens Lant, and marking coastal notations such as West Eylanden and vander Lints Eyl. It also depicts early Dutch charting of Australia, showing landfalls by Dirk Hartog (1616), Frederick de Houtman (1619), Jan Carstensz. (1623), Pieter Nuyts (1627), and Gerrit Frederikszoon de Witt (1628). Some errors, such as R. Stater for Staten River, reflect the evolving nature of geographic knowledge at the time.nAt the bottom of the map, allegorical figures representing the four seasons are shown, inspired by a series of etchings by Antonio Tempesta. Each season is depicted riding a chariot. The hemispheres are flanked by Claudius Ptolemy on the left, holding an armillary sphere and dividers, and Marinus of Tyre on the right, holding a globe and dividers, symbolizing the ancient sciences of astronomy and geography.nSurrounding the map are allegorical and mythological illustrations that elevate the work beyond pure geography. At the top, a celestial scene features the seven classical planets personified as Roman gods:n''Jupiter ''(''Zeus'') presides on the left with eagle and lightning.n''Venus ''(''Aphrodite'') holds a flaming heart, with Cupid nearby.nThe ''Sun'', haloed and enthroned, symbolises Christ as ruler of the cosmos.nThe ''Moon'', between the hemispheres, is intriguingly portrayed as Lucifer, a fallen figure with horns, echoing apocalyptic Christian imagery.n''Mercury'', ''Mars'', and ''Saturn ''appear at the right, each bearing their classical attributes.nAt the sides of the hemispheres are two ancient geographers: Claudius Ptolemy, with an armillary sphere and dividers, and Marinus of Tyre, with a globeemphasising the maps grounding in both classical and modern cartographic science.nBelow the hemispheres are four chariot-riding allegories of the seasons, inspired by engravings by Antonio Tempesta.nAs noted by Simon Dewez, there exists a known variant of this map (View Record (#30)) that omits the ship below Australia and the three flying fish in the central Atlanticsuggesting revisions or re-engraved states over time.

Engraver: Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673)

First published: Atlas Maior, sive Cosmographia Blaviana, Vol. 1. Amsterdam: Joan Blaeu, 1662

Image Size (cm): 40.8×54.5

Mapmaker: Blaeu, Joan (1596-1673)

Price: A24,000 plus gst

Primary Category: World

Purchase Reference: Letter 6 April 2001

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Simon Dewez, The Printed World II (Sydney: Gowrie Galleries, 1997), pg 7, map 37. Also Simon Dewez, The Printed World III (Sydney: Gowrie Galleries, 2000), pg 38, map 92.

Shirley ID #: 428 Mapping the World

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1662