World map with Southern and Northern hemisphere projections by Joan Blaeu (1596-1673) and Gerard Valck (1652-1726) Hemispherical projections were very popular in the 17th century because it illustrated earth's sphericity well and also allowed for plenty of room for illustrations. Illustrated maps were popular with some historians saying that illustrations were often favoured over accuracy! Joan Blaeu was a prolific Dutch cartographer and this polar projection map is believed to be one of the last maps Blaeu worked on during his lifetime. This lovely hand-coloured double-hemisphere world map comes with the quirks of the past such as California being shown as an island. The top of the map has illustrations of clouds, stars, sun, and moon. The bottom illustrations show Adam in the Garden of Eden surrounded by animals and life and then, on the opposite side, Adam and Eve in an empty landscape after lovemaking.
