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| This rare and splendid double-cordiform map by the French cartographer Oronce Fine, is far in advance of any previously printed. Among the interesting geographical features are the many place names appearing in South America reflecting the conquests and explorations of Cortez, the naming of the "Mare Magellanican" near to the straits which still bear the explorer's name. The West Indies are clearly defined and Florida is both shown and named as a result of the explorations of Ponce de Leon and Giovanni de Verrazano. Also extremely influential is the depiction of the Poles. The north pole is shown as being made up of four islands and in the south there is a large Terre Australis, both these ideas were taken up by Mercator in his first world map of 1538, and through him to de Jode, Ortelius and later generations of cartographers. The floral borders are decorated with 2 mermaids, 2 cherubs and the French royal coat of arms supported by dragons. |
