Lot 283
  • 283

Mercator, Gerard and Jodocus Hondius (1563-1611).

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Description

  • Atlas minor. Amsterdam and Arnhem: Jodocus Hondius for Joannes Janssonius and Cornelis Claesz, [1607]
first edition, oblong 4to (169 x 220mm.), engraved title, Latin text, full-page allegorical engraving of the Fates, 153 full-page engraved maps, early manuscript notes throughout, eighteenth-century Dutch half calf, yellow morocco lettering-piece, new gilt rules on spine, some general soiling, title creased and with piece of upper margin missing, the world map and a few others cropped, a few tears, sometimes extending into image or text, some maps (e.g. Hungary) with ink ruling, tracing and underlining in an early hand, similar underlining in the text, rebacked retaining some of original spine, corners repaired

Provenance

Vanderveen Hondius, bookplate loosely inserted

Literature

Koeman II, Me 186 (the Wardington copy showing similarities with a variety of Koeman’s variants); Nordenskiöld Collection 142; this edition not in Shirley, British Library

Catalogue Note

This smaller – and cheaper – version of Mercator’s Atlas was an instant success, and within a few years was published in French, German, Dutch, and English. Russian and Turkish editions followed.