"Africae nova Tabula", Hondius/Jansson

Richly ornamented map displays the continent, with carte-a-figures borders; six city views along the top and ten examples of local inhabitants along the sides. The map is filled with fictitious rivers and mountains with the origin of the Nile conforming to the Ptolemaic tradition of twin lakes located below the equator. The Kingdom of Monomotapa fills the entire southern tip of Africa. Ships under full sail, flying fish and various sea monsters decorate the sea, while elephants, lions, zebras, ostriches and other exotic animals occupy the interior. Jansson's unusual imprint cartouche features a clock with Roman numerals and a bell on top. The face of the clock is a skull surrounded by the rays of the sun. The map was originally issued as a separate publication by Jansson in 1623 with six additional city prospects along the bottom. In 1632 Jansson trimmed it to fit in a folio atlas. It made only intermittent appearances in Jansson's atlases thereafter; making this state quite rare.

References: cf Norwich #29 (first state).

Condition: B

Impression is slightly uneven. Professionally remargined with expert facsimile of neatlines.