Nassovia Comitatus

Nice copper engraved map of Nassau by H. Hondius. Two nice cartouches and a coats-of-arm. Showing the area between Koblenz, Wiesbaden, Gießen and Olpe. Rare separate issued sheet without the text on verso.

Minor browning, small upper margin, good conditions.

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.