Catalog Archive
Auction 106, Lot 512

"Africae Descriptio", Mercator/Hondius

Subject: Africa

Period: 1609 (circa)

Publication: Atlas Minor

Color: Hand Color

Size:
7.8 x 6 inches
19.8 x 15.2 cm
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A reduced version of Hondius' superb map of the continent. It is based on the Mercator model with revisions to the coastlines, particularly that of Madagascar. Hondius improved the Cape area by inserting Saldanha Bay and Cape Falco and discarding Cayneca. The map is crisply engraved and decorated with strapwork title and distance scale cartouches, a sea monster, and a sea battle off the coast of C. Negro. German text on verso.

References: Norwich #27a; Betz #53.

Condition: A+

Estimate: $350 - $425

Sold for: $550

Closed on 3/3/2004

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