French Map, Framed

The known world fans out like a half-opened paper fan, with Europe crowded at one end.

This framed map, The World, comes from Paris, France, and is dated 1763. It is paper. Classical geographers such as Strabo divided the inhabited world into climates by latitude, and later mapmakers revived their schemes for readers of ancient history. The banner across the top reads Veteris Orbis Climata ex Strabone. Europe, Africa and Asia sit in pale wash colors inside a curved grid, outlined in green and yellow. Billowing cloud heads blow from the corners. A beaded inner frame, linen mat and gilt and green outer frame surround it. It is 27 inches wide and 23 high.

The world, before anyone had finished checking.