[Werelt Caert]

Superb double-hemisphere world map decorated with the four continents shown in allegorical form, with examples of their animal life and inhabitants.

Two circular diagrams depicting the Ptolemaic and Copernican theories of the solar system are depicted at top and bottom between the hemispheres.

Australia is shown with the discoveries made by Tasman on his first voyage 1642-3 and second voyage 1644. Earlier Dutch discoveries are noted and these include: Hartog 1616, Houtman 1619, van Leeuwin 1622, Cartensz 1623, Nuyts 1627 and de Wit 1628. The earliest Dutch discovery of the Australian coast by Willem Jansz in 1606 on Cape York Peninsula is not shown. The VOC, in having sent Tasman on two voyages, not only to chart the South Land but importantly to make contact with the natives and to ‘ in trade’, were disappointed with the lack of trading opportunities present in the barren and inhospitable land. Consequently, the VOC lost interest in further charting of the Australian continent other than the updating of existing charts. The post-Tasman shape of Australia depicted on maps was to remain unchanged until James Cook discovered and charted the east coast in 1770.

References: Poortman 130. ill.p.196, Shirley 431, pl 318.