Early 17th-Century Reissue of Gerard Mercator's Map Engraving of the Arctic

Item Details

An early 17th century hand-colored reissue of Gerard Mercator’s (Flemish; 1512-1594) map engraving titled Septentrionalium Terrarum descriptio. This reissue, possibly by Mercator’s successor Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612), was likely featured in an early 17th century Mercator-Hondius Atlas; it depicts the Arctic with modifications and newly discovered regions made by Hondius after Mercator’s death. A handwritten inscription is present to the lower right, part of which reads ‘Mercator ca 1595 / 1606 Atlas.’ The work is presented under glass, mounted on a tan surface, and housed in a composite wood frame with a light brown finish and a beaded gold-tone sight edge.

Gerard Mercator is regarded as a pioneer in the history of cartography, especially because his calculations and maps departed from the Ptolemy model. He created his first maps in 1540 which earned him commissions from Emperor Charles V. He is especially known for his 1569 world map that utilized his groundbreaking Mercator Projection, which is considered one of the most significant advances in cartography. In the 1550s, he began his revised edition of Ptolemy’s Geographia, which was a three-volume work and the first book to be called an ‘Atlas.’ It wasn’t until after his death that his Atlas was published, titled Atlas Sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura.

Mercator’s successor Jocodus Hondius was an artist, engraver, and cartographer, and is recognized as another seminal figure in establishing Amsterdam as a central hub of 17th-century European cartography. He is especially credited for rebuilding Gerard Mercator’s reputation as a pioneering cartographer, for introducing decorative map borders in his work, and also for his portraits of Sir Francis Drake in London’s National Portrait Gallery. In the early 17th century, he republished Mercator’s work alongside many of his own maps, which are referred to as the ‘Mercator/Hondius series’.

Condition

- wear throughout consistent with age; toning throughout; vertical crease down center of map; some folding and small tears along paper edges.

Dimensions

- measurement of frame; plate marks measure approximately 15.5" W x 14.5" H.

Item #

18DCC239-002