It is very likely that the individual maps prepared for the new edition of the ‘Speculum’ may have been issued separately without text, prior to the publication of the atlas. Although the eventual sales of 

's work were less than ideal, the atlas was evidently held in high regard, with several contemporaries citing its importance alongside the atlases of 

. Few examples of either edition of the 'Speculum' have survived, making the maps within a rarity.

The Northern Hemisphere on de Jode's map presents the continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and North America in great detail. The cartography is generally accurate, most major cities are named, and topography is illustrated. India, however, is shaped quite irregularly, and several of the Southeast Asian islands are incorrect, either in name or in location. Similarly, while the American coastline is well-drawn, the interior of the continent lacks many details, having not yet been thoroughly explored and mapped. It also contains a few mythical cities, such as Quivira and Civola. 

Similarly, although the land shown around the circumference of the Southern Hemisphere is generally accurate, the second half of the map is dominated by the erroneous ‘Terra Australis Incognita’. As a result of the Polar Hemisphere projection, the land closest to the Equator has been compressed; consequently, there appears to be little space between Asia and America, with Japan equidistant between the two continents.

The Sunderland Collection

This map is one of two spectacular new world maps produced in 1593 by Cornelis de Jode in advance of the new and enlarged edition of his atlas, the 'Speculum Orbis Terrae'. It is one of only a few double-hemisphere maps drawn on a polar projection. Even the windheads are depicted from above. The map has been beautifully engraved and features bright, contemporary colour.

This map appeared in the last edition of the 'Speculum Orbis Terrae'. It was designed to compete with Abraham Ortelius' now dominant atlas. Due most likely to Ortelius' efforts to suppress his rival, de Jode's work, it sold in relatively small numbers. However, it was nonetheless greatly admired.

Prepared by Gerard’s de Jode son, Cornelis de Jode, this is one of very few double-hemisphere maps drawn on a polar projection, a style used rarely by sixteenth-century cartographers. Drawing on a range of sources, particularly Guillaume Postel’s 1581 ‘Polo Aptata Nova Charta Universi’ and an anonymous set of gores from c. 1587, de Jode’s map demonstrates not only the wealth of geographical insight generated by early European exploration but also the limits of contemporary knowledge.

This map appeared in the last edition of Gerard de Jode’s atlas 'Speculum Orbis Terrae', first published in 1578 with text by Daniel Cellarius. It was designed to compete with Abraham Ortelius' atlas, 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum', which had been published eight years earlier. Ortelius had used his influence to disrupt de Jode's application for a royal privilege. By the time this was finally granted, seven years after the publication of the 'Theatrum', Ortelius's work had become so popular that de Jode's atlas did not sell well, despite the accuracy and clarity of his maps.

One of the two spectacular new world maps prepared by Cornelis de Jode in advance of the new and enlarged edition of his atlas ‘Speculum Orbis Terrae’. This map would have been available separately and within the atlas. It is one of a very few double-hemisphere maps drawn on a polar projection, and a very fine example with superb contemporary hand colouring.

De Jode’s New World Map on a Polar Projection