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Mappe-Monde Geo-Hydrographique
Antique Maps

Mappe-Monde Geo-Hydrographique

VALCK, Gerard · Amsterdam · Gerard Valck · 1686

Gerard Valck's decorative double-hemisphere world map of 1686, with California as an island and the four seasons in the corners.

FM-0299
€ 5.500
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Key Properties

Date: 1686

Technique: Copper engraving, original wash colour; the vignettes coloured later

Size: sheet c. 61.5 x 53 cm (24 1/4 x 21 in)

Cartography: California as an island, after Sanson; influenced by Jaillot

Condition

Good to excellent overall (according to the seller). The map in original wash colour; the decorative vignettes have later, professional hand colouring.

References & Bibliography

Shirley, R., The Mapping of the World (on Valck's world maps).

McLaughlin, G., The Mapping of California as an Island (Valck).

Description

Gerard Valck (1652-1726) trained as an engraver under Abraham Blooteling, worked with him in London and on his return to Amsterdam went into partnership with Peter Schenk in 1680. This world map of 1686 is one of his finest productions. It draws on Jaillot's world map and follows Sanson in showing California as an island, a cartographic myth that persisted on Dutch and French maps for much of the century.

The two hemispheres are surrounded by scenes of the four seasons, each shown through its harvest, in the richly allegorical manner of Amsterdam map-making at the end of the Golden Age.

Historical Significance

A decorative Amsterdam world map of the late Golden Age, showing California as an island.