"Livonia", Hondius/Purchas

Beautiful map of present-day Estonia, Latvia and part of Lithuania. Fully engraved to illustrate the forests, cities and villages and embellished with a strapwork title cartouche and a scale of miles. On a full sheet of English text measuring 8.8 x 13.1".

At the beginning of the 17th century, Samuel Purchas, an English cleric, set out to publish a compendium of voyages to foreign countries. To illustrate his work, Purchase obtained the rights to use Jodocus Hondius' copperplates from Atlas Minor. Over 60 maps were included in Purchas His Pilgrimes, most of which were from Hondius' plates, with English titles inserted above them. Purchas also had a few additional maps engraved, including those for India, China, Greenland, North America, and Nova Scotia.

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.PUR-1a #47.

Condition: A

Fine impression and color on watermarked paper with marginal soiling.