Asia ex Magna Orbis Terre Descriptione Gerardi Mercatoris Desumpta, Studio et Industria...

Coloured map of the Asian continent. Printed in Amsterdam by Henricus Hondius in 1628.

Reference 12780

Description

A very fine example of Mercator's map of Asia. It is based on the famous 1569 world map by Mercator, was engraved by his grandson and first published in 1595.

The map depicts the coasts of Northeast Asia and Northwest North America, with Gastaldi's mythical Strait of Anian separating them. A finely engraved galleon suggests the possibility of a northern route to Asia south of this strait. The outline of Sumatra appears archaic, and the relationship between New Guinea and Terra Australis is left to the viewer's interpretation. The place names, Beach, Regio, Lucach, and Maletur, taken from Marco Polo's account, are erroneously attributed to locations near present-day Australia. French text on verso.

Details

Cartographer	Gerard Mercator
Title	Asia ex Magna Orbis Terre Descriptione Gerardi Mercatoris Desumpta, Studio et Industria G.M. Iunioris
Publisher, Year	Henricus Hondius, Amsterdam, 1628
Plate Size	37.6 x 46.4 cm (14.8 x 18.3 inches)
Sheet Size	47.7 x 56.7 cm (18.8 x 22.3 inches)
Reference	Van der Krogt, P.: Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, 8000:1A

Condition

Excellent condition.

Cartographer

Gerard Mercator (Kremer) was born in Rupelmonde in Flanders and studied in Louvain. He drawn his first map in 1537 and became a cartographer and globe maker. In 1552 he moved to Duisburg, Germany where he published his famous 18-sheet world map in 1569 with his own new projection, today called Mercator projection. Later he decided to publish a new edition of Ptolemy's Geographia. Followed by his major work, a 3 volume collection of maps to which the word Atlas was applied the first time. The first volume was published 1585, followed by the second in 1589 and the third one after his death in 1595 by his son Rumold. A second edition of all three parts was published 1602. 1604 Jodocus Hondius acquired the plates and published several edition together with his sons Jodocus II and Henricus until 1633. More editions followed until 1666 by Janssonius who was in partnership with Henricus. Some of the plated where also used by W.J. Blaeu in 1630.

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Gerard Mercator: Asia ex Magna Orbis Terre Descriptione Gerardi Mercatoris Desumpta, Studio et Industria G.M. Iunioris.

Coloured map of the Asian continent. Printed in Amsterdam by Henricus Hondius in 1628.

Asian Continent - Mercator, Gerard - Asia ex Magna Orbis Terre Descriptione...