Catalog Archive
Auction 139, Lot 691

"Guineae Nova Descriptio", Hondius, Jodocus

Subject: Western Africa

Period: 1606 (circa)

Publication: Gerardi Mercatoris Atlas sive Cosmographicae…

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19.5 x 13.5 inches
49.5 x 34.3 cm
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This beautifully engraved map of western Africa from Senegal, Rio Senega, to Cape Lopez on the Gulf of Guinea just below the equator. The map reflects the Portuguese exploration and settlement in the region and includes a large inset of the Island of St. Thomas. This is one of six new maps of Africa to be included in Hondius' editions of Mercator's Atlas. It is beautifully embellished in Hondius' style with strapwork title cartouches, a Portuguese ship and native sailing boat, and fully engraved seas in a moiré style. Latin text on verso.

References: Norwich #316.

Condition: B+

Nice color on watermarked paper with a tiny hole along centerfold near Punce and a vertical crack adjacent to centerfold that have both been professionally repaired on verso with Japanese tissue. The left-hand margin has also been backed in Japanese tissue to repair several short tears and chips.

Estimate: $375 - $450

Sold for: $275

Closed on 2/15/2012

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