COLLECTION NAME:
David Rumsey Historical Map Collection
Record
Author:
Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594
Author:
Hondius, Iodocus, 1563-1612
Date:
1607
Short Title:
Africa Descriptio
Publisher:
Ioannes Janssonius
Publisher Location:
Amsterdam
Type:
Atlas Map
Obj Height cm:
17
Obj Width cm:
23
Scale 1:
65,464,000
Note:
General map of Africa. Shows kingdoms and territories. Relief shown pictorially.
Reference:
Phillips no. 423
World Area:
Africa
Full Title:
Africa descriptio. (to accompany) Atlas minor Gerardi Mercatoris.
List No:
11201.016
Page No:
3
Series No:
16
Engraver or Printer:
Nicolaus, Cornelius
Engraver or Printer:
Bottius, Adrianus
Publication Author:
Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594
Publication Author:
Hondius, Iodocus, 1563-1612
Pub Date:
1607
Pub Title:
Atlas minor Gerardi Mercatoris, a I. Hondio plurimis aeneis tabulis auctus et illustratus. Amsterodami Excusum in aedibus Iudoci Hondij, venunt etiam apud Corneliu Nicolai, item apud Ioannem Ianssoniu Arnhemi.
Pub Reference:
Phillips no. 423
Pub Note:
The Atlas published by Ioannes Janssonius, in 1607 (2nd prelim. leaf, is dated March 1607. Pagination irregular), with 8 + 656 p.,152 black and white maps, 1 color map, text and index. Decorative colored title page that is filled with allegorical female figures of the continents, geographers measuring the globe within an architectural surrounding. Maps with title cartouche, showing the boundaries, territories, topographical features, cities and towns, landmarks, rivers, forests, compass rose, coat of arms, sea monsters, sailing vessels, etc. In full vellum binding with title " Atlas minor Gr. Mercatoris Hondius." on spine. Gerardus Mercator can confidently be called the greatest cartographer of the sixteenth century, he helped to establish Amsterdam as the leading center of 16th Century cartography. Gerard Mercator originally a student of philosophy, became an expert in land surveying and cartography, as well as a skilled engraver. His first maps were published in 1537 (Palestine), and 1538 (a map of the world). His most famous contribution to science is a technique of rendering the globe on a flat surface. In 1569 he published his masterpiece, the twenty-one-sheet map of the world, still known as "Mercator’s projection." Shortly after the publication of the big folio-atlases (the Atlas, Sive cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi et fabricati figura 1585-9, and the edition of Ptolemy's Geographia 1578) the need was apparently felt for a smaller-sized atlas, one that would be handier and, above all cheaper, so that a larger public might have access to the use of maps. During the preparation of the publication of Mercator's large Atlas, Hondius had the maps reduced, in order to publish them as the Atlas Minor in 1607. The publisher, Cornelis Claesz, also participated in this enterprise.
Pub List No:
11201.000
Pub Type:
World Atlas
Pub Maps:
153
Pub Height cm:
18
Pub Width cm:
24
Image No:
11201016.jp2
Authors:
Mercator, Gerhard, 1512-1594; Hondius, Iodocus, 1563-1612
Link To Source
Africa Descriptio
