The world map included in the second edition of 1591 appears to have been the achievement of both father and son. In an inscription lower left, 'Gerardus Iudeous excudet’, printing or publication is attributed to the father, Gerard; in the lower right, the legend ‘Hanc orbis universal descriptioneni Corn: de Iudoejs Antwerpen pridie calend. noveb in alma Academia Duacesi Ao. 1589 pfecit', implies that the son, Cornelis de Jode, 'made', or engraved the map in November of 1589. 

This world map by de Jode’s is distinct from others of the period because he referenced multiple sources. The rectangular projection is based on the works of Marinus of Tyre (c. 70–130 CE). The two curious hemispheres left and right of the title are based on Roger Bacon’s thirteenth-century map projection. The rounded South America is based on Mercator’s world map, which was widely distributed by Ortelius. The peculiar shape of eastern Asia is also based on Mercator’s map of 1569. 

In the late 1580s, the de Jodes would have had access to Ortelius’ new updated map of the world where the shape of South America had been substantially corrected and the North Pole had been converted into one landmass. Other features however show us that he referenced Ortelius such as the prominent Northeast and Northwest Passages, the shape of western Europe, and the distinctive ‘kite-shaped’ Japan and the vast unknown Southern Land including the note on the lower right that credits Marco Polo and Ludovico di Varthema for the description of the East.

The shape of North America is based mainly on Mercator and similar to Ortelius but with some differences. Unlike Ortelius, de Jode notes that the Americas were discovered by Christopher Columbus but also that they were named after Amerigo Vespucci after his voyage of 1497. The prominent bay on the northern shore of North America which is present on the Ortelius map has not been added to this map. Africa is broadly based on the portrayal by Ortelius but with greater detail.

Double-page engraved copperplate map on a Mercator projection, with contemporary hand-colour in full.

A description of ‘the whole known world’, this map was produced by 

’s projection. On either side of the title of the map, the world is shown again in double hemispheres. De Jode likely engraved the copperplate for this map with his son, Cornelius de Jode. 

The map was based on earlier works by 

 and Mercator, for both separate publications and for de Jode's atlas the 'Speculum'. De Jode intended this atlas to be a direct challenge to Ortelius, who dominated the map trade at the time. The engraving is elegant and fine with rich contemporary hand-colour.

The original map of the world included in the 1578 edition of the ‘Speculum’ was on a cordiform projection. This uniform format was originally introduced by 

 in 1570 and proved highly successful. De Jode may have decided to emulate him for commercial reasons, but for unknown reasons the map was not completed in time for it to be included in the first edition of the ‘Speculum’.

A very fine example, in superb contemporary hand-colour of this rare map. Possibly, initially engraved by 

 between 1570 and 1577, but not completed until 1589 by his son Cornelis, for separate publication followed by inclusion in the second edition of the 'Speculum' in 1593.

A Description of the Whole Known World

Totius Orbis Cogniti Universalis Descriptio



De Jode's World Map on a Mercator Projection

To which, in 1589, we have also added the same delineation of the lands of the globe, the extent of the world within the reach of the two circles of this plan, as instruction to admirers.

Cui etiam eandem orbis terrae delineationem, duorum circulorum capacitate huius descriptionis mundi longitudinem documento admirantibus adiecimus anno MDLXXXIX.