"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.

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

Condition: B+

A nice impression on a bright sheet of watermarked paper with a few small holes at top right. There are a few soft creases and a short edge tear at bottom left that has been closed on verso with archival tape.