Orbis Vetus in utraque continente juxta mentem Sansonianam distinctus, nec non observationibus astronomicis redactus, accurante ROBERT DE VAUGONDY

Wonderful c.18th double hemisphere world map with an elaborate title cartouche at top, comprising of a Rococo style frame surrounded by cherubs and a representation of the Roman God, Saturn and another at bottom with an explanation of the mapping.

Australia and New Zealand shown according to the discoveries made by Abel Tasman on his two voyages in 1642-1644. Australia’s southern and east coasts are shown according to the theories of the French School of Theoretical Cartography which popularised the notion of an imaginary east coast of Australia extending from Van Diemen’s Land to the Solomon Islands. It was so influential in propagating these theories that most cartographers were
depicting Australia on their maps accordingly. This error was to remain on charts until James Cook’s finally discovered and charted the east coast of the South Land in 1770.

Tasman’s instructions were contained in the missive of the Governor-General and Council of the Indies to the Heren XVII of 12 December 1642, in which a brief summary of the plan for the voyage was given. The primary objectives of the VOC’s exploratory voyages had always been the opening up of new markets for trade while at the same time the updating of existing charts or creation of new charts. Tasman’s first voyage resulted in the discovery of Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) and New Zealand which gave the southern and eastern geographical limits of the South Land and proved that it was not connected to Terra Australis. The results of the second voyage gave shape to Australia’s northern and north west coasts. The second voyage charted the northern coast. The shape of Australia on maps was then to remain virtually unchanged, without any significant discoveries until those of James Cook in 1770.