Welt Valck, Gerard u. Leonard, 1700 kol. 56,8 x 48,3 cm Copper Plate, Hand Colored This exquisitely decorated double hemisphere world map in mint condition. It contains two smaller maps of the North and South Pole. It is lavishly surrounded by wonderful classical and mythical images. Multiple versions of this map were issued. Of particular interest to collectors is the representation of California as an island and the unknown portion of North America labelled, “Terra Incognita” or 'unknown land'. Valac was a map and globe maker from The Netherlands who was based in London and was one of the most important mapmakers of the late 16th century. His atlases were apparently complete with 94 maps. Reference Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers, Early World Press, 2004
