- 32
Hondius, Hendrik.
Description
- Nova totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica. Amsterdam, 1641 [or later], 380 x 545mm., double-page engraved map, German text edition, contemporary hand colour, light marginal browning
- Paper
Literature
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
"[A] fine ornate example of the decorative cartography of the period" (Shirley).
This is a famous baroque-style map of the world, added to the revitalised Mercator-Hondius "Atlas" in 1633. The vignette portraits of Ptolemy, Mercator and Jodocus Hondius symbolically link the Hondius family to the two greatest cartographers in early history; the border scenes are allegories of the four classical elements - earth, air, fire and water - while figures representing the continents of Asia, Africa and America bring tribute to Europe, depicted as a queen enthroned.
Geographically, the map is typical of the period, with California shown as an island, North America without the Great Lakes, and a large Terra Australis Incognita.
However, this is regarded as "the oldest dated map in an atlas on which a Dutch discovery in Australia has been shown cartographically" (Schilder), with a short extent of the northern coast of Australia, discovered by Carstensz. and Colsten in 1623, visible to the south of New Guinea (see also lot 62 for another world map of significance in the early mapping of Australia, the Eckebrecht map).