Gerard Mercator (b. Rupelmonde 1512, d. Duisburg 1594)
Jodocus Hondius I (b. Wakken in Flanders 1563, d. 1612, engraver)
Johannes Janssonius (b. Arnheim 1588, d. Amsterdam 1664)
Atlas Minor Gerardi Mercatoris à I. Hondio plurimis æneis tabulis auctur atque illustratus. (Excusum in ædibus Indoci Hondij veneunt etiam apud Corneliu Nicolai item apud Ioannem Ianssoniu Arnhemi). Amsterodami (Amsterdam) [1607–1612]. Oblong 4to. (17,2×22,5 cm.). Text in Latin. With engraved title, allegorical engraving and 154 maps. Size (various) of plates: c. 14–14,4×18–19 cm. 3 leaves with minor tear. A few spots. Bound in cont. full vellum with 8 green ties.
The Dutch cartographer Gerard Mercator (1512–1594) was the first to use the term “Atlas” (1585). The Flemish engraver and cartographer Jodocus Hondius (1563–1612), bought Mercator's plates after his death, and published this reduced version of Mercator's folio “Atlas sive Cosmographis”, and added some 36 of his own maps. This is the first edition of the “pocketversion” “Atlas Minor”, which Hondius published together with his partners Cornelius Claesz and Johannes Janssonius. It became a large success, and was translated into several languages and issued in c. 40 editions.
Rare.
Books and manuscripts, 25 November 2014