Catalog Archive
Auction 134, Lot 649

"Iaponia", Hondius, Jodocus

Subject: Japan and Korea

Period: 1606 (circa)

Publication: Atlas Sive Cosmographia

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.5 x 13.4 inches
44.5 x 34 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

Superb map of Japan based on the Ortelius/Teixeira model with Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku depicted with approximately the correct proportions. Korea is shown as an island, although Hondius added a notation to the effect that is was uncertain if the region was an island or a peninsula. The map is richly ornamented with two strapwork cartouches, a European and Japanese ship, and a sea monster. Hondius engraved this map for inclusion in his editions of Mercator's Atlas after he acquired Mercator's plates. It appeared in the editions of Atlas Sive Cosmographia from 1606 to 1636. French text on verso.

References: Walter OAG-12.

Condition: B+

Sharp impression and lovely old color with a couple insignificant spots. There is an old paper repair on the bottom fold and a couple tiny edge tears not affecting the map.

Estimate: $2,100 - $2,500

Sold for: $1,600

Closed on 12/1/2010

Archived