Antique Map of the World after J. Speed, 1651

Details

Description

A double-hemisphere world map, probably engraved by Abraham Goos for John Speed's 'Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the … Read more A double-hemisphere world map, probably engraved by Abraham Goos for John Speed's 'Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World', the first English atlas of the world.

It was the first atlas map to show California as an island, an idea Goos introduced to print with a map of North America in 1624.

On the other side of the world this map also shows Korea as an island and 'Beach', the mythical kingdom located on 'The Southerne Unknowne Land'.

Around the rims of the double-hemispheres is an abundance of decoration, including celestial spheres in the cusps, allegorical figures of the Four Elements, portraits of circumnavigators and diagrams of eclipses.
On verso is an interesting English-text ' of the World'.
The 'Prospect' was first published in 1627: this example comes from the last issue of the atlas. Minor repairs at centre fold, otherwise a very fine example with original margins. This piece has an attribution mark,
I am sure that it is completely authentic and take full responsibility for any authenticity
issues arising from misattribution See less