Description
Very decorative c.17th map of Africa.
Jodocus Hondius removed the surrounding panels of figures on Henricus Hondius’s earlier map to enable the map to be included in folio atlases. In 1604 he had purchased the plates of Mercator’s Atlas from Mercator’s grandson. Hondius republished Mercator’s work with 36 additional maps, including several which he himself had produced. The maps have since become known as the ‘Mercator-Hondius’series. After his death in 1611, his publishing work in Amsterdam was continued by his widow and two sons, Jodocus II and Henricus. This is the third state of five.
The title cartouche has an animal head at top surrounded by a wreath. There are six galleons in full sail and sea monsters and flying fish in the seas. Neptune and mermaid are depicted reiding a wave at lower left. Numerous animals are shown on the map, including; elephants, lions, monkeys, ostriches and goats.
