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Merian's edition of Blaeu's famous map of the World on Mercator's Projection. Shows an elongated NW Coastline culminating in a narrow strait (Anian) between Asia and America. California and the Sierra Nevadas are prominently named. A large southern land mass is named Magellanica. No great lakes. Australia is not yet present as a separate landmass. Narrow southern strait between the Atlantic and Pacific. The eastern coastline of North America is still very primitive. No Great Lakes. Overall a strong dark impression of this decorative map. Shirley #345, Plate 262.
Mathaus Merian (1593-1650) was the father of engraver Matthäus the Younger, and of the painter, engraver, and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian. He was born in Basel, Switzerland and trained in engraving in Zurich. After a time in Nancy, Paris and Strasbourg, he settled in Frankfurt. While there, he worked for Johann Theodor de Bry, the publisher and son of the travel writer. In 1617, he married Maria Magdalena de Bry, Johann Theodor’s daughter. In 1623, Merian took over the de Bry publishing house upon the death of his father-in-law. Merian’s best known works are detailed town views which, due to their accuracy and artistry, form a valuable record of European urban life in the first half of the sixteenth century
