c1620 Mercator Map of the Persian Empire by J Hondius

c1620 Mercator Map of the Persian Empire by J Hondius

A fine example of Mercator's map of the early Persian Empire, extending from the Caspian and Red Seas to the Indus River.
The map has been hand coloured, with two architectural cartouches and silk-effect sea. The well painted original colour shows off this map to its best effect. This map dates from about 1620 and is by Jodocus Hondius, who continued publication of Gerhard Mercator's "Atlas" project from 1606 when he engraved new, and republished earlier, maps by the great cartographer. The series formed the basis for one of the major atlas projects of the century with maps republished by Jan Jansson and other Dutch publishers over 50 years later. This map is from an English text edition and was published in Amsterdam between 1606 and 1633. The map has been tastefully mounted, framed and glazed, allowing the reverse to be seen on the back. Condition is good, but with some age toning, staining and creases.
Jodocus Hondius the Elder (1563-1612), or Joost de Hondt, was one of the most prominent geographers and engravers of his time. His work did much to establish Amsterdam as the center of cartographic publishing in the seventeenth century. Born in Wakken, but raised in Ghent, the young Jodocus worked as an engraver, instrument maker, and globe maker. Hondius moved to London in 1584, fleeing religious persecution in Flanders. There, he worked for Richard Hakluyt and Edward Wright, among others. Hondius also engraved the globe gores for Emery MolyneuxÂ’s pair of globes in 1592. His engraving and nautical painting skills introduced him to an elite group of geographic knowledge seekers and producers, including the navigators Drake, Thomas Cavendish, and Walter Raleigh, as well as engravers like Theodor De Bry and Augustine Ryther. This network gave Hondius access to manuscript charts and descriptions which he then translated into engraved maps. One of HondiusÂ’ most successful commercial ventures was the reprinting of MercatorÂ’s atlas. When he acquired the Mercator plates, he added 36 maps, many engraved by him, and released the atlas under MercatorÂ’s name, helping to solidify MercatorÂ’s reputation posthumously. Hondius died in 1612, at only 48 years of age.
Size image: 50.5 x 35.5 cm (19 7/8 x 14 inches)
Size frame: 66.5 x 53 x 3 cm (26 2/8 x 20 7/8 x 1 ¼ inches)
Weight: 3746 g

Reserve: $603.00

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