Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula
Cartographer:
Robijn, Jacobus
Date of Creation:
1683
First issue of Robijn's magnificent and rare world map, with his name in the imprint. California is shown as an Island, the Great Lakes appear joined, incomplete coastlines for Australia and New Zealand are visible, but there is no trace of the Antarctic, there is no coastline north of California, nor is the land bridge to Asia present
The map is decorated with a broad border of four dramatic allegorical scenes, each representing one of the four elements: the rape of Persephone, Zeus being carried across the heavens in an eagle drawn chariot, Poseidon commanding an entourage, and Dementer receiving the fruits of the earth.
Shirley identifies 3 further states of Robijn's map, all of which are rare: without Robijn’s name in the imprint; with the words “met privilegio” added (1686); Johannes Loots imprint (circa 1698 and after). The map appears first in Robijn's 'Zee Atlas' of 1683, which was published in several languages including Dutch, English and Latin. It then appears without his name in his atlases of 1688, and 1689, and in composite atlases of the period. Robijn is probably best known for acquiring the plates from Goos's 'Zeespiegal' and 'Zeeatlas' from his widow in 1680, which he then used to enlarge his own atlas.