"Ins. Ceilan quae Incolis Tenarisin Dicitur", Mercator/Hondius

This exquisite, early map of Sri Lanka is shown with an unusual five-sided shape. North is oriented to the left by an elaborate compass rose. The map was beautifully engraved by Petrus Plancius with pictorial detail of mountains, roads, forests, villages, kingdoms, mines, stupas and spice plantations. It is embellished with three strapwork cartouches and further adorned with a finely rendered sailing ship and animals roaming the interior (including a large elephant with his manhout). Latin text on verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #8380:1A.1.

Condition: B+

A nice impression with full original color, light toning, some extraneous creasing adjacent to the centerfold, and light scattered foxing primarily confined to the blank margins. There is a tear in the bottom blank margin that has been professionally repaired.