This is a nice example of Hondius’ map of Asia. It was published in Amsterdam circa 1633, though the map is dated 1631. The map depicts Asia with topographical features shown and most cities, towns, villages, mountains, deserts, and waterways identified. Much of the continent was guesswork, although the Great Wall of China is shown. Corea is shown as a peninsula, with an odd projection of Japan. Nice detail in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

There is a decorative cartouche. The seas are full of ships, sea monsters, and an allegorical figure playing a musical instrument atop a sea creature. Lions are found in the eastern part of Africa, and an elephant in central Asia.

Henricus Hondius (1597-1651) was a Dutch engraver and mapmaker. He learned his trade from his father, Jodocus Hondius, an engraver and geographer. He was involved with the republishing of Mercator’s atlas as well. Henricus worked closed with his brother, Jodocus the younger, and took over their father’s engraving business. He would later start his own shop in 1621 where he would eventually partner with Jan Janssonius and continued publishing Mercator’s work where it would eventually be referred to as the Mercator-Hondius-Janssonius atlas.