A New Map of the Terraqueous Globe accor…

Superb c.18th double hemisphere hand coloured engraved world map embellished with a view of the Bodleian Library in Oxford, sages in discussion and four figures representing Europe, Asia and the Americas, astride the royal coat of arms. The map is dedicated to His Highness William, the Duke of Gloucester. The Duke was attending Oxford where Wells was a teacher of mathematics and geography.  Engraved by Michael Burghers.

Wells included this world map in the second edition of his atlas, A New Sett of Maps of Antient and Present Geography, published in 1701 with a number of changes from the first issue of this map and is identified by the following;

1. The addition of the number ‘2’ at the base of the column at lower centre.
2. The figures on either side of the same column have been totally changed
3. The Bodleian Library has been added below the left hand side of the map
4. The rocky outcrop at lower left has been replaced by two sages in discussion, with one holding a globe.
5. At lower right the three figures have been replaced by five learned men.
6. At top left the moon has been added
7. At top right the sun has been added.
8. The extensive notes written in Africa and South and North America have been removed.
9. A note has been added to New Zealand stating; New Zeland supposed to be part of ye. Southern unknown Continent`
10. Australia and a portion of the the New Zealand coastline is shown according to the discoveries made by Abel Tasman on his two voyages in 1742-1744 and has a note stating; New Holland esteemed to be part of Ye. Southern unknown Continent. 

It is one of the last maps to depict California as an Island. The northwest coast of North America is left blank and North America is noted as perhaps being “no other, than the Insular Atlantis of the Ancients.”

 From Wells,  A New Sett of Maps of Antient and Present Geography.