Although engraved from a new plate, Bertelli’s map is, nevertheless, a close copy of Paolo Forlani’s third map of world of 1565. It has the same title, and similar winged cherub heads in the top corners, but is smaller and decorated with different ships and sea monsters. All mention of Forlani has been removed from the imprint, and the initials ‘D.B.’ refer to Donato Bertelli, from the Venetian publishing family.

Forlani’s world map was based on Giacomo Gastaldi's large ten sheet map of circa 1561; interestingly the map does not depict the Strait of Anian, and shows the Terra Incognita populated by mythical animals, while the inscriptions in the lower corners have been changed.

Donato Bertelli (died 1623) published books, maps and prints from his shop at 'Libreria al segno di San Marco' in Merzaria, from 1559. Paolo Forlani (fl1560-1574) is unusual within the Laferi school because he was one of the few to combine the talent of mapmaking and engraving, while also infrequently acting as a publisher and mapseller. He was much-sought after as an engraver and mapmaker, particularly as he was adept at the difficult art of engraving lettering. Consequently, he was employed by four of the leading publishers of the period to prepare maps for them -Giovanni Francesco Camocio, Ferrando Bertelli and Bolgnini Zaltieri from Venice, and Claudio Duchetti from Rome.

There is precious little documentary evidence for Forlani’s activities. For example, only one of his maps was the subject of an application for a privilege. As a result, much that is known about his activities has been reconstructed from the maps with which he was associated. However, he did not sign all the maps he engraved.

The present example is the first state, with the date ‘M.D.LXVIII’ (1568). It is known in only two institutional examples: The British Library, and John Carter Brown Library, Providence.