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Superb and rare double-hemisphere world map on two sheets by Eberhard Happel, decorated with the four continents shown in allegorical form, with examples of their animal life and inhabitants.

Australia is shown with the discoveries made by Tasman on his first voyage 1642-3 and second voyage 1644 and earlier Dutch discoveries are also noted : Hartog 1616, Houtman 1619, van Leeuwin 1622, Cartensz 1623, Nuyts 1627 and de Wit 1628. In having sent Tasman on two voyages, not only to chart the South Land but importantly to make contact with the natives and to engage in trade, the VOC were disappointed with the lack of trading opportunities reported by Tasman. Consequently, the VOC lost interest in further charting of the Australian continent other than for necessary amendments to existing charts. The post-Tasman shape of Australia depicted on maps such as this was to remain unchanged until James Cook discovered and charted the east coast in 1770.