Catalog Archive
Auction 154, Lot 652

Hondius' Map of China, Korea, and Japan

"China", Mercator/Hondius

Subject: China, Korea & Japan

Period: 1606 (circa)

Publication: Gerardi Mercatoris - Atlas sive Cosmographicae

Color: Hand Color

Size:
18.1 x 13.5 inches
46 x 34.3 cm
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Besides China, this map depicts Korea as an elongated island and Japan on the Ortelius-Teixeira model. The map contains rudimentary geographical information, as there was very little actually known of the region during the early part of the seventeenth century. The interior of China is dominated by several large lakes, and the mythical Chiamai Lacus forms the headwaters of five large rivers in northeastern India. The northwest coastline of America appears in the upper right corner with a notation that refers to the Tartar hordes that inhabit the region. The map is beautifully engraved with a moiré patterned sea and richly embellished with strapwork cartouches, a deer, a fox, a sea monster, a European and a Japanese ship, and a unique wind-powered wagon. In one cartouche, a scene depicts the Japanese persecution of a Christian missionary, probably a reference to the martyrdoms in Nagasaki in 1597. Blank verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #8410:1A.

Condition: B

Original color with a few minor spots. There are several printer's creases and extraneous creases adjacent to the centerfold resulting in a few separations that have been archivally repaired. Several long separations along the centerfold have also been archivally repaired.

Estimate: $1,900 - $2,200

Sold for: $1,000

Closed on 9/16/2015

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