Catalog Archive
Auction 188, Lot 654

Hondius' Richly Ornamented Map of Japan

"Iaponia", Mercator/Hondius

Subject: Japan & Korea

Period: 1634 (published)

Publication: Gerardi Mercatoris - Atlas sive Cosmographicae

Color: Hand Color

Size:
17.4 x 13.4 inches
44.2 x 34 cm
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Superb map of Japan based on the Ortelius/Teixeira model with Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku depicted with approximately the correct proportions. Korea is shown as an island, although Hondius added a notation to the effect that is was uncertain if the region was an island or a peninsula. The map is richly ornamented with two strapwork cartouches, a European and Japanese ship, and a sea monster. Hondius engraved this map for inclusion in his edition of Mercator's atlas after he acquired Mercator's plates. It appeared in the editions of Atlas Sive Cosmographia from 1606 to 1636. Dutch text on verso.

References: Hubbard #13; Walter #22; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #8450:1A.1.

Condition: A

Full contemporary color that has been partially refreshed on a wide-margined sheet with a bit of show-through of text on verso and two printer's creases at top left and bottom center. Some expert paper repairs in bottom blank margin, far from map image.

Estimate: $1,600 - $1,900

Sold for: $1,100

Closed on 6/22/2022

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