Insula Capitis Viridis

Reference: MS2370
Author Jodocus HONDIUS
Year: 1612 ca.
Zone: Cap Verde
Printed: Amsterdam
Measures: 135 x 95 mm
€150.00

Reference: MS2370
Author Jodocus HONDIUS
Year: 1612 ca.
Zone: Cap Verde
Printed: Amsterdam
Measures: 135 x 95 mm
€150.00

Description

A miniature map showing the Capo Verde islands.

A superior rival to the pocket Ortelius atlas appeared about 1598, under the imprint of Barent Langenes and Cornelis Claesz. Claesz also published the Tabularum Geographicarum contractarum libri septem, edition with texy by Petrus Bertius, in 1600. After the death of Cornelis Claesz in 1609, Jodocus Hondius II became the new publisher of the work, composed by 7 parts in 1, with engraved title-page and 220 full-page engraved maps in text.


All the maps were newly engraved and slightly larger in size, because Hondius was not able to acquire the original plates. With the new plates the work was definitely improved and enjoyed a growing demand of the public, which at that time had the choice between the Atlas Minor by Mercator and Bertius' Tabularum Geographicarum.

The 219 plates, with the oval world map appearing twice, were produced to illustrate a new version of the geography of Bertius, published in 1616.

According to King, their correct attribution is by Hondius, after Mercator and Hondius, taken from Bertius, who was only responsible for revising his text again.

"After the death of Cornelis Claesz in 1609, Jodocus Hondius II became the new publisher of the work, composed by 7 parts in 1, with engraved title-page and 220 full-page engraved maps in text. All the maps were newly engraved and slightly larger in size, because Hondius was not able to acquire the original plates. With the new plates the work was definitely improved and enjoyed a growing demand of the public, which at that time had the choice between the Atlas Minor by Mercator and Bertius' Tabularum Geographicarum. The 219 plates, with the oval world map appearing twice, were produced to illustrate a new version of the geography of Bertius, published in 1616. According to King, their correct attribution is by Hondius, after Mercator and Hondius, taken from Bertius, who was only responsible for revising his text again" [cf. G. King, Miniature Antique Maps].

Copperplate, in very good conditions.

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.