Terra Firma et Novum Regnum Granatense et Popayan

Decorative, old coloured copper engraved map of Colombia by J. Janssonius. Shows parts of Ecuador with Esmeraldas in the south-west, up to Venezuela in the East. With the detailed course of the Magdalena River. The map offers a good view of Colombia in the early 17th Century. Decorated with two large cartouches and two beautiful compass roses. This example comes from the early French edition of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas printed in 1633.

Tears in the left margin and lower right corner restored. Very good condition.

Johannes Janssonius also known as Jan Jansson was born 1588 in Arnhem, Netherlands. His father was a bookseller and publisher (Jan Janszoon the Elder). When he married the daughter of the cartographer Jodocus Hondius he also set up a business as book publisher in Amsterdam. His first map was published in 1616. Around 15 years later he set up a partnership with his brother in law Hondius add issued further editions of the Mercator/Hondius atlas. After his death in 1664, his heirs still have published several maps. Many of his plates have been acquired by Pieter Schenk and Gerard Valk.