In 1630 Henricus Hondius and Jan Jansson undertook a major revision of the Mercator Atlas in response to fierce competition with the Blaeu family. This map is based on the 1623 map of Asia by Henricus' brother (Jodocus), but without the decorative panels. The map extends from the Arabian Peninsula through the East Indies. There is a wide expanse of ocean between the east coast of Asia and America, which is conveniently hidden by a dedication cartouche. Korea is shown as a long peninsula, and Japan is based on the Ortelius/Teixeira model. This beautiful map became the standard map of Asia throughout the 17th century. Two hunters flank the title cartouche and the map is embellished with a pair of lions, an elephant, European ships, a Chinese sampan, and a sea monster. English text on verso, published in 1636.

References: Yeo #33; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #8000:1D.2.

Condition: A

A crisp impression on a bright sheet with a hint of offsetting and marginal soiling. There are professional repairs to some tears along the edges of the sheet and to a separation along the centerfold at top that has resulted in about 1mm gap in the image at top, with a minute amount of the image skillfully replaced in facsimile.