Map of the Western Hemisphere, 1631

This is the unusual and larger version of Merian’s map of the Americas. Merian’s bold engraving style copies the cartography of Jodocus Hondius’ 1631 map. North America is depicted with a prominent Virginia and an odd New England coastline.

The west coast above California makes the continent very wide and there is just a hint of the Great Lakes.

There is a large inland lake in equatorial South America. Insets of the polar regions are defined in strapwork cartouches.

The map is finely decorated with a title cartouche of human skulls and bones, representing the legendary cannibalism of the Americas, and the seas are filled with ships, naval battles, and ferocious sea monsters.

1631 Map of the Western Hemisphere – Historical Map