- 33
World--Visscher, Claes Janszoon.
Description
- Orbis terrarum typus de integro multis in locus emendatus. Amsterdam, 1652, 435 x 560mm., double-page engraved twin-hemispherical world map, hand-coloured, re-margined on three sides, with manuscript reinstatement to the left-hand border, one long tear and two shorter tears restored
- paper
Literature
Shirley, Mapping of the World 346, this state 4 dated 1652; Schilder, Monumenta Cartographica Neerlandici 6, map 9 state 5 noting 6 institutional locations
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
Although not the inventor of the style, Claes Janszoon Visscher is probably the best known and most prolific publisher of maps with panelled border ("cartes-a-figures"). Some of these plates he acquired from Pieter van den Keere, but he added others to build up a considerable stock. Relatively late on, in 1638, he added this fine map of the double-hemisphere map of the world to his stock.
The upper border contains six pairs of European national costume figures, with a further six on non-European countries in the lower border. There are also allegorical depictions of the four classical elements - earth, air, fire and water - and in the four spandrels outside the map depictions of the four seasons.
Visscher's maps are notable for their fine engraving, and this example is no exception, performed by Abraham Goos, a leading Amsterdam engraver and mapmaker, although perhaps a little weak in the history department, as the text panel in the Pacific has Columbus sailing the Ocean blue in 1592.