Henricus Hondius (1597–1650). Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula. Auct: Henr: Hondio, (Amsterdam: 1641). State 2. Included in all issues of the Mercator-Hondius atlases from 1633-1658. Double page copperplate engraving on heavy paper, with exquisite hand color. Image: 15 x 21 ½ in. Repairs on verso and along centerfold. Very fine condition. $15,000.
$15,000.00
One of the Most Famous World Maps of the 17th Century
This beautiful double hemisphere world map reflects the masterful blending of art and science that characterizes the Golden Age of Dutch cartography. Executed in a rich color palette, Nova Totius Terrarum combines the full range of Baroque allegorical artistry with the cutting-edge scientific knowledge of the day. A note on America indicates Christopher Columbus’s 1492 discovery, and the 1499 naming for Amerigo Vespucci. The four elements are represented allegorically in the four corners of the image, with Apollo representing fire, Selene representing air, Poseidon representing water, and Demeter representing earth. At the bottom, a vignette shows personifications of India, America, and Africa—all offering tribute to crowned and enthroned Europe. From sea monsters and allegorical figures to early geography of the Northwest Coast and Canada, this piece exemplifies the best of the early maps by Dutch cartographic masters.
In 1629, threatened by pending competition from W.J. Blaeu and his sons, Jan Jansson and his partner, Henricus Hondius set about revising the Mercator-Hondius atlas which (in respect of the world map) had remained unchanged for nearly thirty-five years. The partner’s new world map is a fine ornate example of the decorative cartography of the time. The two hemispheres are bordered by voluptuous representations of the four elements and other scenes: in the top corners are portraits of Julius Caeser and Claudius Ptolemy and in the bottom corners are portraits of the author’s father Jodocus Hondius and his mentor Gerard Mercator.
For geographical detail, Hondius has followed Speed and his contemporaries and also presents California as an Island. New features include part of the north Australian coastline extending towards New Guinea and a redrawing of north-east Canada with ‘Queen Anne’s forland’ (Baffin Island) shown completely encircled by open water.
The Hondius-Jansson world map had as long a life as its predecessor, as it was included in all issues of the Mercator atlas from 1633 until at least 1658. — Rodney Shirley
The present example of Hondius’s “New Map of the World” is representative of the second state from 1641. This map is known to come in four distinct states, as distinguished by the dates on the map (cartouche at bottom right) and Amstelodami Excudit Ioannes Ianssonius added at the bottom.
Henricus Hondius was the son of the engraver and mapmaker Jodocus Hondius and operated the family’s map publishing business with his brother-in-law, Jan Jansson. Petrus Schenk and Gerard Valk began working together in Amsterdam around 1680 in the publication of books and art prints, which included portraits, views, and historical tableaus. After Schenk acquired the copperplates to the Hondius and Jansson Atlas Major in 1694, the company began to issue maps, atlases, and globes. As both a historical document and a work of art, the present map is a significant example from the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography.
Ref: Shirley, The Mapping of the World, no. 336.
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