English
SouthAfrica
Janssonius, J.
copperplate engraving
coloured
ORIGINAL | Deutsch
Südafrika
Janssonius, J.
Kupferstich
koloriert
ORIGINALKARTE |
Considered to be one of the best maps of South Africa for its time. A wonderfully illustrated map complete with the original Portuguese names. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to explore and name the region. The title cartouche in the bottom right is bordered by indigenous peoples, monkeys and turtles present on the African Continent. Beneath this a German mile scale is present. The continent has illustrations of wildlife and the mythical lake “Zachaf lacus” the source for the Zambere/Cuama and Spirito Santo Rivers. This area was import to The Dutch East India Company initially as a refreshment station for ships sailing to Asia to trade. This base would become modern day Cape Town. Johannes Janssonius (1588-1664) was the son of a bookseller and publisher from Arnhem. In 1612 he married the daughter of the cartographer Jodocus Hondius and opened his own shop in Amsterdam. In 1616 he published his first maps of Italy and France. In 1638 he contributed to a complete revision of the Atlas made by Mercator-Hondius the Nouvel Atlas which was published in two volumes. Janssonius has based this map of a ealier version of the region by Joan Blaeu.
References
Tooley's Dictionary of Mapmakers, Early World Press 2004, p429
Carl Moreland & David Bannister, Antique Maps, Phaidon Maps, 1989, p266
Joost Augustejin and Wilco Poortman, Kaarten in Bijbel 16e-18e eeuw, 1995
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