This chart of the southern tip of South America was originally issued in 1606. The coast line of Tierra del Fuego appears to be part of an unknown southern continent. At the time of publication Cape Horn had still not been discovered. It was only in 1616 that Le Maire and Shouten rounded the tip of South America. The chart is from an atlas based on Mercator's Atlas of 1585-1595. This edition was published in French by Jodocus Hondius and his son Hendrik Hondius.

Digital order no: a5083004

Van Den Keere's decorative map of the world was first issued in 1608. It is a copy of Blaeu's map of 1608. The decorative figures include Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn. The side panels show the four elements and the four seasons. At the bottom are the seven wonders of the world. The Van Den Keere plate was sold to Jan Jansson, who issued a number of versions. This 1639 map includes Le Maire Straits, separating Tierra del Fuego from South America.

Digital order no: a1528732

Polus Antarcticus was first issued in 1637 by Hendricus Hondius. It is the earliest map to focus entirely on the Antarctic continent, which is illustrated by a chain of islands and partly by a series of lines. There were four states of the Polus Antarcticus map, with many issues by other map-makers within each state. The 1657 edition shows Tasman's discoveries from his first voyage, with references to Nova Hollandia and Nova Zeelandia. The original cartouche has been removed to make way for land newly discovered. The large vignettes surrounding the hemispherical map depict scenes from South America and the Pacific region.

Digital order no: a127042

This world map, on a central hemisphere and two adjoining half spheres, is embraced by a double-headed eagle of the Holy Roman Empire. The map was first published in 1627. It was created by cartographer Philip Eckebrecht for Johann Kepler, to illustrate his Astronomical Tables for the calculation of longitude. The map shows the Dutch discoveries on the west coast of Australia by Hartog and Houtman.

Digital order no: a127031

Poli Arctici, published by Frederik e Wit in 1675, with scenes from the northern polar region including the whaling industry. Poli Arctici was a companion piece to the Polus Antarcticus also first issued by Hondius in 1636.

Digital order no: a1528843

This double hemisphere map is by Dutch cartographer, Frederik de Wit, was originally issued in his Sea Atlas. The decorative scenes, etched by Dutch artist Romeyn de Hooghe, represent the four elements. Fire is shown by war and destruction; air by the heavens; earth by harvesting and husbandry; and water by ships, a spouting whale and mermaids. Small circular maps of the north and south pole sit between the double hemispheres.

Digital order no: a1528856

This map was made by the famous mapmaker Joan Blaeu. It may have been engraved in 1672, but was not published until 1696 due to a great fire at Blaeu’s workshop. The projection of the two poles is unusual and shows the movement away from an imaginary southern continent around the South Pole.

Digital order no: a1528872

Johann Ulrich Muller (1633– 1715 ) was a Military engineer and cartographer in theservice of the Holy Roman Emperor. He created a series of miniature maps including this one of the South Pole.

Digital order no: a5027001

Vincenzo Coronelli was a Franciscan priest, renowned mathematician and cartographer. Royal Cartographer to King Louis XIV in 1680, he was later appointed as the official Cosmographer to the Republic of Venice. He is considered to be one of the greatest map and globe makers of the 17th century. This map is from Epitome cosmografic, published in 1693 and dedicated to the Academy of the Argonauts, the first geographical society in the world, founded by Coronelli.

Digital order no: a5180001

Oost Indien depicts the trading territory of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the mid 17th century and the power of their monopoly over southern oceans. The chart is engraved by Dutch cartographer Hugo Allard (1625–1691), the founder of the Allard publishing business in Amsterdam. The chart is lavishly decorated and signed by Romeyn de Hooghe (1645–1708), an important Dutch Baroque artist and engraver.

Digital order no: a4953001