This rare map is a reduction of the now lost twelve-sheet world map of Caspar Vopel from 1545, as stated in the legend at the bottom of the map. It uses a similar heart shaped or cordiform projection as used by Martin Waldseemuller in 1507. Very few maps were published using this attractive projection. Here there is a much-enlarged North America connected via a land bridge to Asia, citing Vopel. To confirm this ‘Asia Oriental’ is placed confidently in North America. The Southern Continent bears a legend stating it was sighted in 1499. This has caused much speculation about its origins. A further note refers to Balboa’s discovery of the South Pacific in 1513.

Prominent at the top of the map are two figures holding a globe and instrument. These he identifies as being Solinus on the left and Strabo on the right. Both are drawn from Martin Waldseemuller great wall map of the world from 1513 similarly drawn on the same projection. Two large celestial hemispheres adorn the lower corners with the map itself surrounded by twelve windheads, with two at the bottom being skulls. Nordenskiold, A.E. (Facsimile) pl. XLV(4); Shirley (World) 101; World Encompassed no. 112.