First state of de Fer’s important four-sheet world map

An extremely rare 17th century double-hemisphere world map, with the engraved date of 1694 (as per the first state) but issued here with text panels dated 1703, predating the earliest known second state of 1705. The separate surtitle is also dated 1694. The map was engraved by Hendrik van Loon from the observations of the French Royal Academy of Sciences, so it is one of the first world maps to show all five of the Great Lakes. California is shown as an island and, lower left, the partial outlines of New Zealand and Tasmania appear. In the Eastern Hemisphere, Australia, New Guinea and the coasts of Asia from Korea and Japan to Novaya Zemlya are only faintly shaded, probably to show that the Academy could not confirm the data. According to Shirley, ''the work's real merit lies in the decorative features which were designed and engraved with distinction by Nicolas Guérard''. Above the map illustrations of Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury and the Moon by Cassini and the sun after Kircher, with allegorical figures. Below are figures representing the Continents, trade, sciences and wealth. Shirley rated the 1694 first state as 'RRR' (''An exceptionally rare and important map. Only a few examples known and these are usually in institutional libraries''). He traced three examples in European libraries, but none in institutions in the UK or USA. He lists later states of 1707 & 1717 by de Fer and 1730 & 1737 by Guillaume Danet, de Fer's son-in-law and successor