Americae descrip.

Americae descrip.

Map of the Americas

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.

Gerhard Mercator

David Rumsey Map Collection

1607

Diane Jakacki

Public

Latin

Western Hemisphere