Antique Maps & Prints of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 7855:
Description
This exceptional folio, hand-colored map is from Michael Mercator entitled
America sive India Nova and magnae Gerardi Mercatoris avi Universalis imitationem in compendium redacta. It was published in 1628 in Amsterdam by Henricus Hondius.
This is one of the most celebrated maps of the Americas, and the only printed map by Gerard Mercator’s grandson, Michael Mercator (1565/70-1614). Michael completed the map for Gerard’s
Atlas. It was based largely upon Rumold Mercator’s world map of 1587 and first appeared in the 1595 edition of
Atlantis Pars Altera. The plate was sold to Jodocus Hondius where it was published by the Hondius family.
Gerard Mercator (1512-1594) is one of the most famous cartographers. He created the Mercator projection for maps which had all parallels and meridians drawn at right angles to each other. This proved exceptionally useful to sailors allowing them to much more easily navigate. Mercator also introduced the term of "atlas", first used to describe his collection of maps gathered into one volume. Mercator is certainly best known for his maps and projections. Mercator was one the greatest names in early cartography, with his friend, Abraham Ortelius, describing Mercator as being the “contemporary Ptolemy”.
Henricus Hondius (1597-1651) was a Dutch engraver and mapmaker. He learned his trade from his father, Jodocus Hondius, an engraver and geographer. He was involved with the republishing of Mercator’s atlas as well. Henricus worked closed with his brother, Jodocus the younger, and took over their father’s engraving business. He would later start his own shop in 1621 where he would eventually partner with Jan Janssonius and continued publishing Mercator’s work where it would eventually be referred to as the Mercator-Hondius-Janssonius atlas.
Paper Size: ~ 16” by 20 3/4” (Fold Out)
Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving with Old Hand-coloring
Condition report:
The work is in generally very good condition. There is some expert restoration at the sheet edges. Due to age, some of the engravings may exhibit handling or minor marks to be expected with age. There may be some light offset on fold out plates due to the nature of the engraving. There may be a few minor imperfections or faint marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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