World map, Terra Australis Tassin / N. Berry, 1651, Figure du Monde

Very rare 17th century world map made by the French cartographer Tassin. Published in Paris by Berey in 1651 in ´Carte generalle de la géographie royale...´.

The map served as basis for the work of N. Sanson.

This attractive double-hemisphere world map depicts the large mythical continent of Terra Australis across the southern portion of the map, incorporating New Guinea. The northwest coast of North America is greatly exaggerated with the Anian R depicted just below the Arctic Circle and California is shown in insular form. Virginia, Florida and Norombega are located along the east coast and the Great Lakes are entirely omitted. The fabled golden city of Manoa is located on the mythical and unnamed Lake Parime in South America. In Asia, the eastern coastline is truncated and Korea is noted as an island (though it appears to be peninsular). The map is decorated in the cusps by a fleur-de-lis and sun containing the word Jehovah in Hebrew. Drawn by H. Picart.

Very few examples known of this version of the map.

Good condition. Some repairs/reinforcements in the outer margins on the back. Some staining and smudging. Original coloring.

Image 5,9x7.8 inch (15x20cm), Sheet 6.6x9 inch (17x23cm)