Antique Map of Friesland and Groningen by Mercator (c.1604)

Description: Antique print, titled: 'Frisiae Occidentalis.' - Handsome map of the Dutch Provinces of Friesland and Groningen. Embellished with strapwork title-cartouches. Latin tekst on verso. Probably from an early ed. of 'Atlas sive cosmographicae meditationes …', by Jodocus Hondius, published after 1604.

Artists and Engravers: Made by 'Gerard Mercator' after an anonymous artist. Engraved by 'Gerard Mercator' and published by Hondius. Gerard Mercator (Kremer) was born in Rupelmonde in Flanders and studied in Louvain. He made his first map in 1537 and became a cartographer and globe maker. In 1552 he moved to Duisburg, Germany where he published his famous 18-sheet world map in 1569 with his own new projection, today called Mercator projection. Later he decided to publish a new edition of Ptolemy's Geographia. Followed by his major work, a 3 volume collection of maps to which the word "Atlas" was applied the first time. The first volume was published 1585, followed by the second in 1589 and the third one after his death in 1595 by his son Rumold. A second edition of all three parts was published 1602. In 1604 Jodocus Hondius acquired the plates and published several editions together with his sons Jodocus II and Henricus until 1633. More editions followed until 1666 by Janssonius who was in partnership with Henricus. Some of the plated where also used in W.J. Blaeu in 1630.