Africa ex magna orbis terre descriptione Gerardi Mercatories desumpta studio & industria G.M. Juniorius

Original copperplate engraved map
Fine Handcolor
380 x 472 mm
Map # AF-396
$ 2,500

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This map has a high degree of accuracy especially along the coastline that was unsurpassed by any other 16th century cartographer (Klemp).  Much of the interior of Africa defers to the traditions of Ptolemy; the Nile river is shown with the two lakes and the Mountains of the Moon across southern Africa.  Mercator does show European advance into the interior.  For example, Mercator shows Portuguese exploration up the Cuama (Zambezi) River into the interior of south central Africa in the region of Monomotapa or Benamataxa, as he named it on his map.  “Ca. Portogal” (the Portuguese Fort) is placed on the map within the junction of the Spirito and Cuama rivers.

Mercator tried to adhere to a more scientific approach and did not include the numerous beasts of other cartographers.  The only figure within Africa is the seated legendary priest-king Prester John in Ethiopia.  The cartouche is quite decorative with fruit and two satyrs.  The fine script is superb and the sea has Mercator's signature "miore" pattern.

This particular map is from a French edition of the Atlas sive Cosmographicae.    With page numbers 35 & 36 and a a signature of "G" on the verso, this map is from an edition of 1609 or 1619 (Koeman. p. 711).

References:   Betz Map # 31.  Tooley, p. 74-75 and Map #55. Norwich, map #21.  Van der Krogt, Peter. Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, vol. 1. 't Goy-Houten: HES Publishers,1997, p. 711.  Klemp, p. 24. 
There are several recent books about Gerard Mercator that we recommend to increase your enjoyment and understanding of Mercator and his maps:  Mercator: The Man Who Mapped the Planet by Nicholas Crane, and The World of Gerard Mercator by Andrew Taylor. 

Very Fine Condition.