A scarce Dutch double-hemisphere world

VALK, Gerard & Leonard.

Orbis Terrarum Nova et Accurata Tabula.
Amsterdam: Gerard Valk, c.1720. Coloured. 485 x 570mm.

Printer's crease in bottom edge.

An uncommon world map drawn by Gerard Valk (1652-1726) and his son Leonard (1675-1746). In the Western Hemisphere California is an island; a Northwest Passage is suggested by a 'Mer Glaciale' leading from Hudson's Bay towards the Strait of Anian; a 'Terra Incognita' fills the North Pacific; and the partial coastline of New Zealand appears, based on the mapping of Abel Tasman in 1642. In the Eastern Hemisphere the semi-mythical 'Eso' (Hokkaido) is connected to mainland Asia, with a separate 'Compagnies Land' adjacent; Australia is depicted without an east coast, with the suggestion that Cape York is connected to New Guinea and Tasmania shown as a distant island.
The decorative borders have allegorical scenes representing the Four Seasons with polar projections in the cusps.
In 'The Mapping of the World', Shirley describes this map as being c.1700 or later. However we have discovered a version printed from a larger plate and with more background detail in the vignettes which we believe is the earlier issue; thus we have dated this example at c.1720.

SHIRLEY: 638.
Stock ID : 22927