Candia cum Insulis aliquot circa Graeciam

Coloured map of Crete, Candia. Printed in Amsterdam by H. Hondius in 1633.

Reference 12808

Description

Early map of the island of Crete by G. Mercator. With six smaller maps in upper panel across the top that provide views of the Greek Islands, including Kerkira (Corfu), Zakynthos (Zante), Milos (a Greek island in the Aegean Sea), Nicsia (Naxos), Santorini and Scarpanto (Karpathos).

The detailed map of Crete is richly annotated with the names of numerous places, rivers, and mountain ranges, offering a comprehensive geographical overview. Notably, it prominently highlights the Crete labyrinth of Bonifacio, recognized as the oldest European labyrinth on record, situated at the heart of the island.

This is the first state of the map still without sailing ships and with the large mileage cartouche. From the French edition of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas of 1633. French text on verso.

Details

Cartographer	Gerard Mercator
Title	Candia cum Insulis aliquot circa Graeciam
Publisher, Year	H. Hondius, Amsterdam, 1633
Plate Size	33.8 x 47.7 cm (13.3 x 18.8 inches)
Sheet Size	48.0 x 56.5 cm (18.9 x 22.2 inches)
Reference	Zacharakis, C.G.: A Catalogue of Printed Maps of Greece, 1477-1800, No. 2209/1450; Van der Krogt, P.: Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, 7900:1A.1

Condition

Very good 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: Candia cum Insulis aliquot circa Graeciam.

Coloured map of Crete, Candia. Printed in Amsterdam by H. Hondius in 1633.

Greece - Mercator, Gerard - Candia cum Insulis aliquot circa Graeciam