Tiny Old World Map by Bertius, 1616: Oval Projection, Decorative Strapwork, Terra Australis

Introducing the exquisite "Typus Orbis Terrarum," a masterful yet diminutive world map created by the renowned Flemish cartographer Petrus Bertius in 1616. This captivating piece of history offers a glimpse into the geographical knowledge and exploratory ambitions of the early 17th century. Bertius, celebrated for his theological, historical, and cartographic expertise, meticulously crafted this map, showcasing the major countries, continents, and bodies of water known to European explorers at the time. The map is framed by intricate decorative strapwork, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to this already remarkable artifact.

The "Typus Orbis Terrarum" is not just a map; it is a testament to the era of exploration and discovery. It highlights regions of significant interest to European colonial powers, such as the Portuguese, Dutch, and English trading colonies in Asia and the Americas. The map features notable locations like Goa, a Portuguese trading colony, and the Spice Islands of Southeast Asia, where the Dutch and English East India Companies were active. It also depicts Japan as a single, rectangular island, reflecting the limited knowledge of the region at the time.

Bertius's map employs an oval projection, a popular cartographic style of the period, which provides a unique and aesthetically pleasing view of the world. The map's design is further enhanced by its decorative elements, including the Latin inscription "Dominus est terra et plenitudo eius," which translates to "the Earth and the fullness of it is the Lord’s." This inscription, along with the detailed geographical features, underscores the map's dual purpose as both a navigational tool and a work of art.

The "Typus Orbis Terrarum" also includes fascinating speculative regions, such as Terra Australis nondum cognita, or the "Southern land not yet discovered," which stretches across the entire southern side of the map. This area includes Tierra del Fuego and Psittacorum Regio, a region supposedly densely populated with parrots, reflecting the limits of contemporary knowledge and the imaginative nature of early cartography. The map also shows North America with familiar toponyms like California, Virginia, and Florida, as well as less familiar ones like Anian and Quivira, hinting at the elusive Northwest Passage.

This extraordinary map is a treasure trove of historical and geographical insights, making it a perfect addition to any collection of antique maps or a distinguished centerpiece for a luxury study or library. The "Typus Orbis Terrarum" by Petrus Bertius is not merely a depiction of the world as it was known in 1616; it is a window into the past, offering a rich narrative of exploration, discovery, and the ever-evolving understanding of our planet.

Countries and regions on this map

• Continents:
• America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Terra Australis (Southern Continent)
• Countries/Regions:
• America (includes North and South America)
  • California
  • Virginia
  • Florida
  • Anian
  • Quivira
  • Chile
  • Peru
  • Brazil
• Europe
  • Nova Francia
  • Noremberga
• Africa
  • Aethiopia
  • Libia interior
  • Nubia
  • Barbari
• Asia
  • Tartaria
  • China
  • India Orientalis
  • Persia
  • Arabia
  • Goa
• Terra Australis
  • Terra del Fogo
  • Psittacorum Regio

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of Water:
• Nile River
• Gambia River
• Amazon River
• Rio de la Plata
• Mar del Zur (Pacific Ocean)
• Mar del Norte (North Sea)
• Mar di India (Indian Ocean)
• Mar de Aquinoctialis (Equatorial Sea)
• Other Features:
• Decorative Strapwork
• Latin Inscription: "DOMINUS EST TERRA ET PLENITUDO EIUS" (The Earth and the fullness of it is the Lord’s)
• Circulus Arcticus (Arctic Circle)
• Tropicus Cancri (Tropic of Cancer)
• Tropicus Capricorni (Tropic of Capricorn)
• Circulus Antarcticus (Antarctic Circle)
• Terra Australis nondum cognita (Southern land not yet discovered)
• Psittacorum Regio (Region supposedly populated with parrots)

Historical and design context

• Creation Date: 1616
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Petrus Bertius
• Petrus Bertius was a Flemish theologian, historian, geographer, and cartographer known for his work in mapmaking and his miniature atlases.
• Topics and Themes:
• Political Geography: The map shows major countries, continents, and bodies of water.
• Exploration: Highlights regions known to European explorers in the early 17th century, including Portuguese and Dutch trading colonies.
• Cartographic Style: Oval projection with decorative strapwork details, typical of the period.
• Religious Inscription: Bears a Latin inscription translating to "the Earth and the fullness of it is the Lord’s."
• Design and Style:
• Oval Projection: The world is depicted in an oval projection.
• Decorative Elements: Framed by decorative strapwork details.
• Labels: Most major countries and bodies of water are labeled, though smaller countries may be missing.
• Historical Significance:
• Exploration Era: Reflects the geographical knowledge and exploratory ambitions of the early 17th century.
• European Colonization: Shows regions of interest to European colonial powers, such as the Portuguese, Dutch, and English.
• Unverified Regions: Includes speculative regions like Psittacorum Regio, reflecting the limits of contemporary knowledge.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 40in (100cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

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.

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.

Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.

If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.

I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.

If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).

We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.

I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.

I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.

Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.