Abissinorum sive Pretiosi Ioannis Imperiu

Hand coloured copper engraved map of Central Africa by G. Mercator. With two beautiful coloured cartouche and one inset map of the Congo. Showing the Kingdom of Prester John in central Africa, how was a mythical Christian king. From the 1638 edition of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas, Latin text on verso.

Centrefold back with thin Japan paper, very good condition in attractive colours.

Gerard Mercator (Kremer) was born in Rupelmonde in Flanders and studied in Louvain. He drawn 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. 1604 Jodocus Hondius acquired the plates and published several edition 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 by W.J. Blaeu in 1630.