Map of the Western Hemisphere 1579

This is one of the most famous maps of the Americas, and one that had an enormous influence on future cartography of the New World.

The map is largely based on Gerard Mercator’s large multi-sheet world map of 1569.

The most recognisable features of the map are the bulbous Chilean coastline and the exaggerated width of the North American continent.

North America shows a long St Lawrence River crossing the continent to almost meet the fictitious Tiguas River flowing westwards.

The strategically placed title cartouche hides the unknown South Pacific and thus most of the supposed great southern continent, which is shown attached to New Guinea and Tierra del Fuego.

This map is from the second copper plate containing the same geography as the first plate [1570].

On this plate, the largest ship in the Pacific is now sailing east and away from the viewer.

Religious persecution forced Ortelius to leave Antwerp and there was a four-year hiatus in the publication of the Theatrum.

When he re-established himself in Liège, he used Christopher Plantin’s large printing press to resume publication with several revised plates.

This plate had a relatively short life of only 8 years, being replaced in 1587 by the easily distinguishable plate of the revised South American form. Latin text on verso, from the 1579 edition according to Burden and Van den Broecke.

1579 Map of the Western Hemisphere – Historical Map