Description
London: J. Streater, 1659.
Quarto. Full brown calf with raised bands and red leather title label to spine. Rebacked at head and foot of spine, retaining original four central panels, along which the front joint is split and rear joint is rubbed; corners bumped and edges rubbed; scuffing to boards. (10), 610, (ie 612), (36), 1-154, (5). Two leaves, numbered 609 and 610 on verso only are inserted after p. 608. In the second part, pp. 139-142 are misnumbered 159-162. New endpapers; front hinge cracked; two leaves comprising the epistle dedicatory are partially detached; lacking frontispiece.
This book is most notable for the large folding map entitled "A New and Accurat Map of the World Drawne According to the Truest Descriptions, Latest Discoveries & Best Observations to have Been Made by English or Strangers." It was made by Robert Walton, and is a copy of the famous map of the same name by John Speed. California is depicted as an island, and Australia is not shown at all on this very early world map. Denis Petau, also known as Dionisius Petavius, was a distinguished Jesuit theologian and astronomer, and served as cardinal under Pope Urban VIII.
OCLC 41602344. Wing 1677.
sjh/bh