This is widely considered to be the greatest world map ever created, originally published by Dutch cartographer Willem Blaeu in 1635 at the height of the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography.
As you can see from the grid lines, Blaeu used Mercator's projection, which had been introduced in 1569.
There's an awful lot going on here. There's sea monsters, ships, the 7 wonders of the world across the bottom, Roman gods across the top... and so much more!
There are even a few mythical islands in the Atlantic and North Sea, including Hy Brasil from Irish myth, and Frisland.
Being a 17th century map, the cartography is a bit off. The northwest coast of North America is very bad, and you can see "Terra Australis" - the southern continent that was believed to take up the entire bottom portion of the globe. (Australia wouldn't be discovered for quite a while yet.)
All in all, one of the best world maps you can buy.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16 inches (31x41cm), 18x24 inches (45.5x61cm) and 24x36 inches (61x91.5cm), but it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90 inches (230cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 24x18 inch (61x45.5cm) version of this map.
If you’re looking for more options, I have another interesting world map from 1886 of the British Empire.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving or housewarming gift for someone into ancient geography/cartography, or perhaps someone who loves to travel and explore!
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.