1616 Hondius Map TURKEY Cyprus NATOLIAE SIVE ASIA MINOR

Pricing & History

Sold for
Start Free Trial or Sign In to see what it's worth.
Sold Date
Source eBay

NatoliaeSive Asia Minor 47.5 x 34 cm copperplate engraving, 55 x 43 cm sheet size, later hand colour, Amsterdam, engraved 1606, printed 1616 We are pleased to offer this scarce and exceptionally decorative original map by the master engraver and cartographe r Jodocus Hondius (1563-1612) from the 1616 Latin edition of the Mercator/Hondius Atlas, Or A Geographicke Description of the World . The map depicts Turkey, Cyprus and Aegean Islands with charming decorative elements including a handsome dhow, three baroque cartouches, a sea monster and Hondius' distinctive "silk" style of engraving for seas and oceans. We begin our survey of the map with the baroque title cartouche - note bird headed snakes and incense thuribles : Constantinople and environs- note the crescent flag of the oar-supplemented dhow in the Black Sea. To get a sense of map detail consider that the distance from Constantinople to Adrinopoli (Edirne) in the enlarged photo below measures just 6 cm actual size : Islands of the Aegean: Mileage scale: Central Turkey: The extensive text on verso, assembled by Hondius and his sons from a number of sources including Ortelius and embellished by the English translator Henry Hexham, is a fascinating document in and of itself, reflecting rather gross European ignorance (especially in matters of cuisine!) of the sophistication of the Ottoman Empire of the time. We are pleased to present some representative passages below from the 1636 English edition translated by Henry Hexham: "...These people were once valiant and industrious, now so much addicted to a luxurious effeminacy that the Turkes (unlesse constrained by an urgent necessity) never inrole their children in the number of Janizaries. once flourished the faith of Christ, sealed by the blood of many of this nation. were the seven Churches to which John dedicated his Revelation...all whose Candlesticks have long been since removed and now cursed Mahumetisme hath so farre encroached on them that few Christians remaine, and they which are of the Church and communion of Greece." "...The Turkes when they travell, accustome to assemble themselves in troups and bands which they term Carvans, that they may travell with the more safetie, every one of them clothed unto their fashion, having the Grand Signors pasport and an Interpretour & a Guide to shewe them the waye..." "...The Turkes are contented with homely fare, are filthy in their dyet, and not acquainted with such delicacie as are amongst us. They love powdred meates, which having taken salt, throw cummin powder upon it, and then hang it a drying like Bartholmaeus beefe, or smookt flesh in Dutch." Condition - Please note carefully: M ap is in overall good condition as can be ascertained from photos, strong impression with distinct platemark, hand colour bold and vivid, image area essentially pristine. Map exhibits an area of repaired separation of centrefold at bottom extending ~ 8 cm beyond lower neatline and passing through mileage scale - the detail photo of the mileage scale clearly shows this repair and additional pronounced creasing and repairs to lower margin, the severity of which fortunately is much worse in margin than in image area as photo demonstrates. An old repaired tear is also present in upper margin but not entering image area - the paper tape from these old repairs is clearly shown in photo of map verso. In addition t is a modern repaired tear to lower margin just crossing neatline in bottom margin, scarcely noticeable as is another minor repaired tera to left margin. Margin edges exhibit some chipping and truncation, fold to upper right corner margin extremity. Part of original binding strip present on verso; its outline faintly visible as a parallel line to centrefold. Overall a well preserved example of a scarce map that will that will make an elegant presentation if matted and framed. Inquiries welcome and we encourage you to visit our other auctions on eBay. Note: Final auction price includes insured sh... read more

Items in the Price Guide are obtained exclusively from licensors and partners solely for our members’ research needs.

Flag item for content or copyright

If this item contains incorrect or inappropriate information please contact us here to flag it for review.

If you are the originator/copyright holder of this photo/item and would prefer it be excluded from our community, contact us here for removal.