Taurica Chersonesus nostra Aetate Przecopsca et Gazara Dicitur

Coloured map of the Ukraine. Printed in Amsterdam by H. Hondius in 1633.

Reference 12871

Description

This is the first state of Mercator's depiction of Crimea, known in ancient times as Taurica Chersonesus.

Notable places like Moscow, Smolensk, Kiev, and Chernobyl are easily identifiable on this intricately detailed map. However, the main focus is on Russia's dynamic southeastern border with the Crimean Tatars. The border garrisons, such as Ryazan (Rezan on the map) and the Crimea, faced annual assaults from the steppes. Moscow's response, mobilizing tens of thousands annually to patrol this border, played a pivotal role in strengthening the centralized power of the Tsar during the 16th and 17th centuries.

In terms of the maps history, Gerard Mercator engraved it, and his heirs included it in the initial editions of the geographer's atlas. Jodocus Hondius later acquired the plate, featuring it in the Hondius atlas until 1636 when it was replaced by a new map. From the French edition of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas of 1633. French text on verso.

Details

Cartographer	Gerard Mercator
Title	Taurica Chersonesus nostra Aetate Przecopsca et Gazara Dicitur
Publisher, Year	H. Hondius, Amsterdam, 1633
Plate Size	31.4 x 39.7 cm (12.4 x 15.6 inches)
Sheet Size	47.8 x 57.1 cm (18.8 x 22.5 inches)
Reference	Van der Krogt, P.: Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, 1890:1A.1

Condition

Very good condition.

Cartographer

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.

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Gerard Mercator: Taurica Chersonesus nostra Aetate Przecopsca et Gazara Dicitur.

Coloured map of the Ukraine. Printed in Amsterdam by H. Hondius in 1633.

Ukraine - Mercator, Gerard - Taurica Chersonesus nostra Aetate...