The original map of the world included in the 1578 edition of the ‘Speculum’ was on a cordiform projection (see SC-TM-1578-deJode-

WorldMap). This uniform format was originally introduced by 

 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’.

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. 

The map’s geography is curiously antiquated, and the rectangular projection is based on that of Marinus of Tyre (c. 70–130 CE). In the late 1580s, the de Jodes would have had access to 

’ 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. The explanation may be that this map was originally conceived much earlier than 1589, when Ortelius’ map was not yet available.

Geographically, the map is derived from multiple sources. The main similarities are to the early 

’s world map of 1569. The distinct four land masses making up the North Pole are based on Mercator’s theory and map. The prominent Northeast and Northwest Passages are from Ortelius. Other features sourced from the Ortelius map include the shape of western Europe, 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 rounded South America is based on Mercator but it was widely distributed by Ortelius. 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. The peculiar shape of eastern Asia is based on Mercator’s map of 1569. The two curious hemispheres left and right of the title are based on Roger Bacon’s thirteenth-century map projection.

 (1509–1591), was a Netherlandish cartographer, engraver, and publisher who lived and worked in Antwerp. In 1547, De Jode was admitted to the Guild of Saint Luke and began his work as a publisher. He frequently printed the works of other cartographers, including Giacomo Gastaldi's world map in 1555, Jacob van Deventer's map of the Duchy of Brabant in 1558, and Ortelius's eight-sheet world map in 1564. He is best known for an atlas titled the ‘Speculum’ published in 1578. Following de Jode’s death in 1591, his son Cornelis completed a second edition of the ‘Speculum’. The project was augmented with new maps, including the current map of the world, based on a rectangular Mercator-like projection.

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.

 intended his ‘Speculum’ to be a direct challenge to 

’ ‘Theatrum Orbis Terrarum’. The two, who made their living partly as map sellers, were competitors and apparently not always on good terms. It has been suggested that Ortelius was responsible for delaying the publication of de Jode’s work by using his extensive contacts to prevent de Jode's atlas being granted the necessary approbations (or privileges), as Ortelius wished to protect his own work. De Jode did not gain all the necessary approbations until 1577, some seven years after the publication of Ortelius’ ‘Theatrum’, the first copies of the ‘Speculum’ being sold at Christophe Plantin's shop in 1579.

Ortelius’ cunning plan would seem to have worked, as Plantin's records suggest that very few copies of the ‘Speculum’ were actually sold. Although sales of de Jode’s work were less than ideal, the work was evidently held in high regard, with several contemporary works citing its importance alongside the atlases of 

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.

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

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.