Striking full color example of De Jode's rare map of Europe, which was issued only in the second edition of the Speculum Orbis Terarrum in 1593. The map includes a massive Terra Nova Zembla, several Northeast Passages and a number of the great mythical islands of the Atlantic, including S. Brandain, Bresil and Frislandt. A large inset includes 20 costumed figures, representing the dress of various European inhabitants. A remarkable wide margined example. A bit of a misfold at the centerfold, but otherwise a remarkable example of this rare and important early map of Europe.
Gerard De Jode (1509-1591) was a pre-eminent mapmaker in the late seventeenth century, a time when the Dutch dominated the map trade. He was known for his many maps, some of which featured in Speculum Orbis Terrae (first edition Antwerp: 1578). Although never as successful as Ortelius’ Theatrum, the Speculum did get republished in a second edition in 1593, two years after De Jode’s death, by Arnold Coninx, and included this map. After his death, Gerard’s son, Cornelis (1568-1600), and his wife, Paschina, ran the shop. Unfortunately, Cornelis died young in 1600, aged only 32, and the stock and plates were sold to the publisher Joan Baptista Vrients.