Abissinorum sive Pretiosi Ioannis Imperiu

Coloured map of East Africa. Printed in Amsterdam by H. Hondius in 1633.

Reference 12874

Description

This beautifully coloured antique map of central Africa focuses on the legendary kingdom of Christian Prester John. It follows the cartography style of Ortelius and is based on the travels of Portuguese explorer Francisco Alveres in 1520, who sought the mythical kingdom. The map places Prester John's realm on Amara Mons, in the region where Alveres encountered the Coptic Christian ruler David II.

The inset of the Congo region, influenced by Ortelius, illustrates the travels of another Portuguese explorer, Duarte Lopez. The Nile is traced to its source in the Ptolemaic twin lakes of Zaire and Zaflan, at the base of the Mountains of the Moon.

This map not only visually represents central African geography but also explores historical expeditions and mythical tales that have intrigued explorers for centuries. From the French edition of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas printed in 1633.

Details

Cartographer	Jodocus Hondius
Title	Abissinorum sive Pretiosi Ioannis Imperiu
Publisher, Year	H. Hondius, Amsterdam, 1633
Plate Size	34.1 x 48.3 cm (13.4 x 19.0 inches)
Sheet Size	47.8 x 56.5 cm (18.8 x 22.2 inches)
Reference	Van der Krogt, P.: Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, 8720:1A.

Condition

Very good condition.

Cartographer

Jodocus Hondius was born 1563 in Wakken (West Flanders). He became a globe maker and map engraver. In 1593 he set up his business in Amsterdam after he spent several years in London. He was one of the most important engravers of his time and engraved maps for van den Keere, Waghenaer and Speed. Hondius bought the plates of Mercator in 1604, added around 40 maps and published the expanded Mercator-Atlas first 1606 still under Mercator's name. After his death 1612 in Amsterdam, the business was carried out by his sons Jodocus II and Henricus.

Images to Download

If you like to download the image of this map with a resolution of 1200 pixels, please follow the link below.

You can use this image for publication on your personal or commercial websites for free if you set a link to this website. If you need photographs with a higher resolution, please contact us.

Jodocus Hondius: Abissinorum sive Pretiosi Ioannis Imperiu.

Coloured map of East Africa. Printed in Amsterdam by H. Hondius in 1633.

East Africa - Hondius, Jodocus - Abissinorum sive Pretiosi Ioannis Imperiu