"Abissinorum Regnu", Hondius/Purchas

Charming little map with a fair amount of detail on the eastern coast, reflecting colonial trading interests. Below the equator there are the two large lakes where the Nile originates, Zaire / Zembre and Zaftan. The map is decorated with a strapwork title and scale cartouche. The map originally appeared in the Mercator/Hondius Atlas Minor and was used here by Purchas with the additional title above the map, "The Voyage of Sir Francis Alvarez, a Portugall Priest, made unto the Court of Prete Ianni, the great Christian Emperour of Ethiopia," referring to the mythical kingdom of Prester John. On a sheet of English text measuring 7.7 x 12.2".

References: Shirley (BL Atlases) G.PUR-1a #20.

Condition: A

A nice impression with minor toning in the margins.