Catalog Archive
Auction 179, Lot 345

"Hispaniae Novae Nova Descriptio", Hondius, Jodocus

Subject: Western Mexico

Period: 1628 (circa)

Publication: Gerardi Mercatoris Atlas sive Cosmographicae...

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19 x 13.5 inches
48.3 x 34.3 cm
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This splendid map illustrates the heart of the Spanish empire in the New World. The map is focused on the western part of Mexico from about Mazatlan to Acapulco (neither of which is named) and inland to include Lake Chapala and Mexico City, which is situated on a large lake. At upper left is a large inland sea filled with islands where the natives supposedly extracted salt. There are numerous notations, taken from Ortelius, that describe the native people including one that refers to cannibalism - Anthropophagi sunt, qui| his montibus habitant (They who live in these mountains are cannibal). Diamond-shaped symbols mark the locations of numerous silver and copper mines. The map is fully decorated with three elaborate, strapwork cartouches. A Spanish Galleon and a fanciful sea monster adorn the ocean. Jodocus Hondius prepared this map for inclusion in his editions of the Mercator-Hondius atlas. French text on verso, published between 1628-33.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #9510:1.1.

Condition: A

Nice impression with one faint spot below title cartouche and some creasing along the edges of the sheet. There are a couple of minute wormholes and short tears in blank margins that have been closed on verso with archival materials.

Estimate: $350 - $425

Sold for: $200

Closed on 9/16/2020

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