Amsterdam, 1619

From the uncommon 1619 edition :  AFRICÆ | nova Tabula. | Auct. Jud: Hondio.

Original copperplate printed map
Original Color
37.5 x 49.5 cm
Map # AAF-354                   
$3,500

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This highly decorative map of Africa is part of a set of four continent maps prepared by Jodocus Hondius Jr. (1593-1629) in 1619. The map is dated as 1619 based on the map of Europe which is the only map with a date in the set.

This particular map is variant A of the 1^st state of the map of c.1619.  In this variant, there are no decorative borders, but in all other aspects it is the same as the rare first state.  For this variant, the decorative borders were masked during the printing process.  This particular map did not appear in a regular atlas. It is without text and likely appeared in a composite atlas.

This map is best known in its third, fourth, and fifth states, without the decorative borders under the imprint of of Henricus Hondius or Jannsonnius, when it appeared in atlases starting with the folio atlas of Jodocus' brother, Henricus Hondius (c.1596/7-1651), in 1631 and ending with the atlas of the heirs' of his brother-in-law, Johannes Janssonius, in c.1680. 

The geography of Africa is significantly different than in his father's 1606 map of Africa. The geography for this map is copied from Willem Blaeu's folio-size map of 1617 with the Cuama River originating in mountains and not in the Sachaf Lacus. Overall, however, it was based on a reduction of the Blaeu wall map of 1608. 

Reference:  Betz, Map #58.

Very Fine Condition.  A superb example; beautiful original color.