Westphalia Ducatus

Beautifully coloured antique map of the Duchy of Westphalia by J. Janssonius. Showing the area between Essen, Olpe, Landau and Lippe with Meschede in the centre. Decorated with a title cartouche and a mileage scale. From the French edition of the Atlas Novus, published in 1633.

Creases around the centrefold. 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.