Planiglobii Terrestris Cum Utroq Hemisphaerio Caelesti Generalis Exhibitio, issued by Johann Baptist Homann in 1720, presents the world in a luxuriantly decorated double hemisphere, where geography, astronomy, and allegory converse on a single stage. Homann fuses the grand theater of the Baroque with the nascent empiricism of the Enlightenment: twin terrestrial spheres are accompanied by celestial counterparts and framed by emblematic personifications of sun and stars. Putti, windheads, and radiant orbs animate the margins, guiding the eye from earthly coastlines to stellar cartographies. The result is a learned spectacle—an artifact that captures an age intoxicated by discovery, and determined to reconcile newly gathered data with timeless cosmological wonder.

Across the hemispheres, the familiar continents of Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas are traced with an engraver’s disciplined hand, while the Pacific extends as an arena of daring conjecture. Homann attends closely to the exploratory record: the east coast of New Zealand is etched from early reports, routes associated with Tasman and Magellan arc across the great ocean, and textual notes pin the narratives of voyages to their watery stages. Australia appears in striking incompletion, studded with nascent toponyms that confess both ambition and uncertainty. In these provisional coastlines and careful annotations, the map reveals the working mind of early eighteenth‑century geography—restless, cumulative, and candid about its margins of doubt.

The composition’s visual grammar is as compelling as its content. The terrestrial pair is set in a balanced double‑hemisphere projection, each globe latticed by a fine graticule that harmonizes with surrounding vignettes. The northern and southern celestial hemispheres mirror this order, charting the heavens with constellations and emblematic figures that translate the starry canopy into legible myths. Celestial models—those elegant diagrams of the cosmos—appear as learned flourishes, bridging observation with theory. Allegorical figures of light and time, attended by playful cherubs and breathy windheads, animate the skies and seas, while Homann’s crisp linework and nuanced shading yield a page where every flourish serves meaning as much as ornament.

Natural drama punctuates the scholarly poise. An erupting Mt. Etna rumbles in the imagery, a symbol of the Earth’s vitality and the era’s appetite for natural philosophy. Around it, cloudbursts, radiant bodies, and maritime motifs convey the phenomena that preoccupied early modern science, from atmospheric forces to celestial mechanics. Carefully engraved text boxes act as a guide and glossary, knitting historical notes to the mapped surface so that viewers do not merely admire; they read. The page operates like a portable lecture—part cabinet of curiosities, part atlas—inviting a dialogue between phenomena, hypothesis, and the human impulse to order the world.

Homann’s work stands as a milestone in German cartography, uniting precision and pageantry at a moment when Europe’s geographic imagination was expanding rapidly. The map’s cartographic inaccuracies—its tentative Australia, the sketched coastline of New Zealand—are not flaws but fingerprints of discovery, preserving the very process by which the unknown became known. Annotations lace the Pacific with remembered tracks and instructive asides, while the celestial hemispheres anchor terrestrial knowledge in a larger, luminous order. To contemplate this sheet is to witness art, science, and exploration clasp hands—an eloquent testament to Homann’s ambition and to an age learning to see the world, and the heavens, anew.

Countries and regions on this map

• Australia (incomplete representation)
• New Zealand (east coast)
• North America
• South America
• Europe
• Africa
• Asia
• Pacific Ocean (notable annotations and paths of exploration are marked)
• Various regions depicted within these continents, including notable towns and landmarks as per the cartographic knowledge of the time.

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Two celestial hemispheres (northern and southern).
• An erupting Mt. Etna depicted in a scene.
• Detailed annotations regarding early discoveries in Australia and New Zealand.
• Allegorical figures representing sun, stars, and other celestial themes.
• Artistic representations of natural phenomena.
• Text boxes containing historical notes and explanations related to the map.

Historical and design context

• Created by: Johann Baptist Homann in 1720
• Design and Style: Decorative double hemisphere map, richly embellished with celestial models and allegorical scenes.
• Cartographic inaccuracies: Includes an incomplete representation of Australia, early place names, and notes from explorers; shows the east coast of New Zealand and details from Tasman's and Magellan's voyages.
• Themes and Subjects: Combines cartography with art and science, featuring celestial models, natural phenomena, and allegorical representations of land and sea.
• Notable decorations: Includes multiple cherubs, windheads, representations of celestial bodies, and scenes such as Mt. Etna erupting.
• Historical Significance: Reflects the understanding of geography and exploration in the early 18th century; represents artistic and scientific advancements of the time.
• Interesting context about the mapmaker: Johann Baptist Homann was recognized for his detailed and decorative maps, playing a significant role in the development of cartography in Germany.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 10-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

Our standard frame is a gallery-style black ash hardwood frame, with a simple, modern look. It is approximately 20mm (0.8in) wide. You can also view some lovely customer photos of framed maps and art.

We use super-clear acrylic glazing, also known as Perspex or Acrylite, instead of traditional glass. It is lighter, safer, and has lower reflectivity, giving the artwork a clearer, cleaner appearance.

Six standard frame colours are available at no extra cost: black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white, and antique gold. Custom framing and mounting/matting is also available for customers looking for something more specific.

Most maps, art prints, and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced wooden box frame, and then float the piece within a wooden outer frame. The finished result is beautifully presented, with no glazing between you and the artwork.

All frames are supplied ready to hang, with either string or brackets fitted to the back. Very large frames will include heavy-duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

We can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag, and other materials.

If you would prefer to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read our size guide before ordering.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.