"[On 2 Sheets] Irlandiae Regnum", Mercator/Hondius

Superb early pair of maps covering the whole of Ireland. These two maps were among five Irish maps Mercator designed for the second part of his atlas. The maps are richly engraved with a moiré pattern in the seas and strong topographical features in the interior. The northern section is decorated with sailing ships and a sea monster and there is no title cartouche - only Mercator's imprint. The southern sheet features the bold, strapwork title cartouche. Size is for each map. A matched pair from the French edition of 1613 published by Hondius.

References: Law, p. 20; Koeman, ME 22a.

Condition: A

Superb contemporary color. A few insignificant marginal spots and tiny tears.