"Americae Descrip.", Mercator/Hondius

This is a charming reduced version of the Americas map Hondius engraved for Gerard Mercator's folio atlas. It is a combination of various cartographic sources. North America is greatly elongated with a Plancius type depiction of Newfoundland and a protruding Virginian coast, and the west coast is separated by only a narrow strait from Asiae Pars. South America is shown with a more or less correct western coastline and there is a large southern continent incorporating New Guinea and Tierra del Fuego. Decorated with sea monsters, sailing ships, and a strapwork title cartouche. Latin text on verso, published between 1610-20.

References: Burden #153; Van der Krogt (Vol. III) #9000:351.

Condition: A

An excellent impression with narrow margins, as issued, a few minute worm tracks at top and bottom of the sheet, and a small chip at top left. The separately printed title and page number were printed within the map border at top.