Stiria

Reference: S4448
Author Jodocus HONDIUS
Year: 1607 ca.
Zone: Stiria
Printed: Amsterdam
Measures: 200 x 150 mm
€70.00

Reference: S4448
Author Jodocus HONDIUS
Year: 1607 ca.
Zone: Stiria
Printed: Amsterdam
Measures: 200 x 150 mm
€70.00

Description

Map taken from Atlas minor Gerardi Mercatoris a I. Hondio plurimis aeneis tabulis auctus et illustratus.

Appearing first in 1607, the Hondius-Mercator ‘smaller’ atlas was a Europe-wide success, with editions published both in Latin and in several vernaculars. The various editions were edited by Jodocus Hondius and then Jan Janssonius, and contained an increasing number of maps.

"Shortly after the publication of the big folio-atlases the need was apparantly felt for a smaller-sized atlas, one that would be handier, and, above all, cheaper, so that a larger public might have access to the use of maps. The publication of the Atlas Minor appeared to be a great success for Hondius; the first Latin edition was in great demand. The copperplates of the first atlases minor were most almost certainly engraved by Jodocus Hondius himself. After 1621, the copperplates of the Atlas Minor were sold to a London editor. Firstly, they appeared in Purchas his Pilgrinies, printed in 1625 by William Stansby for Henry Featherstone. Next they were used for the translation of the Mercator-atlas, printed in small folio under the title Historia mundi, or Mercators atlas, by Thomas Cotes for Michael Sparke and Samuel Cartwight in 1635". (cf. Koeman II Me 191).

"As with the Theatrum of Abraham Ortelius, Jodocus Hondius planned a reduced size version of Gerard Mercator's folio atlas. Just one year after his first edition he published his Latin text Atlas Minor in collaboration with Jan Jansz. and Cormelis Claesz. The arrangement between these three is not understood clearly but Hondius is believed to have been the owner of the copperplates. Cartographically this is taken directly from the folio maps by Hondius in 1606 [..]. with the inevitable loss of detail due to the reduction” (cf. Burden, The Mapping of North America, 153). 

Copperplate with fine colouring, good conditions.

Bibliografia

Koeman II Me 191; cf. Phillips 426; cf. Burden 153. 

Jodocus HONDIUS (Amsterdam 1563 - 1612)

Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612) was a foremost map engraver of his day; he worked for many Dutch publishers, and was employed by the English map and print-sellers, Sudbury and Humble, to engrave the maps for John Speed’s The Theatre of The Empire of Great Britaine, published in 1612. In 1604, Hondius bought the copperplates of Mercator’s Atlas at the auction of Gerard Jr.’s effects. He added another forty maps, including new maps of the Continents and important regional maps of the Americas, before publishing a new edition of the Atlas, in 1606, in competition with Ortelius’ Theatrum. As many of the maps were more up-to-date, the Mercator-Hondius Atlas effectively superseded Ortelius’ Theatrum. On his death in 1612 his widow, Coletta van den Keere continued the business; from 1619 onwards their son Henry (II) (1597-1651) took over. From 1633 publication was carried on in co-operation with Jan Jansson Jr., Henry’s brother-in-law.

Jodocus HONDIUS (Amsterdam 1563 - 1612)

Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612) was a foremost map engraver of his day; he worked for many Dutch publishers, and was employed by the English map and print-sellers, Sudbury and Humble, to engrave the maps for John Speed’s The Theatre of The Empire of Great Britaine, published in 1612. In 1604, Hondius bought the copperplates of Mercator’s Atlas at the auction of Gerard Jr.’s effects. He added another forty maps, including new maps of the Continents and important regional maps of the Americas, before publishing a new edition of the Atlas, in 1606, in competition with Ortelius’ Theatrum. As many of the maps were more up-to-date, the Mercator-Hondius Atlas effectively superseded Ortelius’ Theatrum. On his death in 1612 his widow, Coletta van den Keere continued the business; from 1619 onwards their son Henry (II) (1597-1651) took over. From 1633 publication was carried on in co-operation with Jan Jansson Jr., Henry’s brother-in-law.