"Guinea", Hondius/Purchas

A beautiful small map of the west coast of Africa covering the coast from Sierra Leone to Gabon with a large decorative inset of I. S. Thomae. Further embellished with a sea monster and strapwork title cartouche. This edition is on a full page (8.6" x 13.5") with English text above and below the map as well as on verso.

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, Purchas 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 #37.

Condition: A

Nice impression and color with some minor toning along the left sheet edge.