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SOLD America
SOLD
Code: 76639
SOLD
Date: c. 1606.
Condition: AA.
Colour: Hand colour.
Size: 19.5 x 14.5 inches.
Title: 'America'. Gerardi Mercatoris 'Atlas sive Cosmographicae'. Printed in Amsterdam.
One of the most elaborate examples of fine Dutch cartography engraved by Jococus Hondius for the first edition of his general atlas, published in 1606. The map is decorated with cartouches and in the lower left of the engraving is a vignette depicting Brazilian Indians making an intoxicating brew from the mandioca root. This engraving is drawn from De Bry and based on the voyage of Hans Staden. Europeans during the Discovery Period were intrigued by the lives of native Americans described by explorers, particularly their more exotic practices.
There is an interesting array of sea monsters and ships, including Oriental and Native American craft. The figure in the upper right hand corner in a kayak with a harpoon is the famed English explorer, Martin Frobisher.
The stenographic projection is based on various sources. It corrects the western coastline of South America. However, North America is still enlarged with the northwest coast heading radically west. Newfoundland is based on Plancius and Virginia is overly exaggerated. The coastlines are fully engraved with place names.
The condition is very good with a very sharp impression. There are two repaired tears at the bottom just entering the border, the left margin has been extended for framing and there is a pin-size wormhole at the center.
This is one of the great decorative maps of the Western Hemisphere.
