"Africae Nova Tabula", Hondius

This richly ornamented map of the continent is Henricus Hondius' issue of Jodocus Hondius' map, but without the decorative borders that were masked in order to fit the map into an atlas format. The geography is largely speculative and follows Blaeu's map of 1617 with the Cuama River originating in the mountains rather than in the Sachaf Lake below the Mountains of the Moon (Lunae Montes). The origin of the Nile conforms to the Ptolemaic tradition of the two twin lakes south of the equator. The Kingdom of Monomotapa occupies a large area of southern Africa. Ornamentation includes a wreath-style title cartouche, sailing ships, flying fish, various sea monsters and Neptune consorting with a comely mermaid. Elephants, lions, zebras, ostriches, and even a dragon occupy the interior. From the German edition published between 1633-36 with German text on verso.

References: Betz #58.3; cf. Norwich #34.

Condition: B

Original color with a couple of small stains and spots of candle wax that do not distract. There is a minute hole caused by a burn at the mouth of the Red Sea. Backed with Japanese tissue to reinforce several vertical cracks alongside centerfold.