Jansson's Rare and Beautiful Carte-a-Figures Map of Europe

"Nova Europae Descriptio", Hondius/Jansson

This rare and magnificent carte-a-figures map of Europe extends to include Iceland, the imaginary island of Frisland, and a bit of Greenland. It is flanked at sides with pairs of costumed figures from ten European countries. At top are six vignette views of the cities of Lisbon, Toledo, London, Paris, Rome, and Venice. The map is very finely engraved and further embellished with ships sailing the seas, a whale in the Labrador Sea, lions in northern Africa, bears in Russia, and a title cartouche surmounted by putti. Jansson's imprint appears in a strapwork cartouche at top right. This map was originally published by Jodocus Hondius the Younger with a lower border depicting additional town views. The bottom border was removed by Jansson to fit in smaller atlases, and was only published in three editions of Atlas Novus between 1638-58. Blank verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #1000:1C.2.

Condition: B+

Contemporary color and gilt edges with light scattered foxing, a couple of small stains, and printer's ink residue at bottom left. Remnants of hinge tape on verso.