"Atlas sive Cosmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabricati Figura, Denuo Auctus", Mercator/Hondius

This architectural-style frontispiece appeared in the 1619 French edition of Gerardi Mercatoris - Atlas sive Cosmographicae. At center is mythological Atlas, measuring a terrestrial globe, surrounded by female representations of the continents, including Europe, Asia, Africa and three figures representing the Americas (Mexico, Peru, and Strait of Magellan). At top, two putti support an armillary sphere. This frontispieces was first used in the 1595 edition of Mercator's Atlas, and was subsequently used in many editions with small changes. In this edition, a block of text at bottom has been replaced with a small dog with his paw on a globe with the phrase excusum sub cane vigilanti (printed under the watchful eye of the dog).

References: cf. Shirley (TP) #27; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #1:10:5.

Condition: B

Full original color with light toning and scattered foxing primarily in the blank margins. Trimmed to the neatlines and pasted onto another sheet. Old manuscript ink markings on two female figures at bottom (to obscure their nudity).