Mercator, Frontspiece/Second Title Page of Atlas Sive Colmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabrica Figura
Dublin Core
Title
Mercator, Frontspiece/Second Title Page of Atlas Sive Colmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabrica Figura
Subject
Early printed books.
Title pages.
17th century Flanders.
Cartography.
Atlas.
Geography.
Title pages.
17th century Flanders.
Cartography.
Atlas.
Geography.
Description
Gerardi Mercatoris
Atlas sive Colmographicæ Meditationes de Fabrica mundi et fabricati figura
De novo multis in locis emendatus novila tabulis aunctus
Studio Judoci Hondy
Amnerodami
Sumptibus Johannis Cloppenburgÿ
Decoratively presents the title and basic biographical information of the work while incorporation classical and allegorical themes of Atlas and places around the world. The six locations, representing the five known and the one speculated continents of the world, are presented with items thematic of their origin.
From bottom left, Peruana (modern-day South America) is presented as a Amazon-like warrior with a lion and axe. Europa (modern-day Europe) is presented as a robe-wearing maiden bearing fruits of the harvest and monarchal symbols. Mexicana (modern-day North America) sits perched atop the left column holding a bow and arrow and accompanied by an armadillo. Africa, similarly perched atop the right column, grasps an umbrella and arrows while lounging on a crocodile. Asia wears an interpretation of Oriental robes while bearing incense and flowering herbs and being followed by a peacock or phoenix, representing the mysticism and exoticism present in European Orientalism. The final allegory presented in Magalanica, also known as Terra Australis or Magellanica (Land of Magellan), a speculated southern continent unconfirmed until the 19th century that we now know as Antarctica. In her space are burning incense and an elephant, which early geographers speculated to have existed on this continent.
In the center lies Atlas, the Titan tasked with holding up the heavens for eternity, proudly established over his globes and remarking on the exploration that the bearer of this book will embark upon.
Atlas sive Colmographicæ Meditationes de Fabrica mundi et fabricati figura
De novo multis in locis emendatus novila tabulis aunctus
Studio Judoci Hondy
Amnerodami
Sumptibus Johannis Cloppenburgÿ
Decoratively presents the title and basic biographical information of the work while incorporation classical and allegorical themes of Atlas and places around the world. The six locations, representing the five known and the one speculated continents of the world, are presented with items thematic of their origin.
From bottom left, Peruana (modern-day South America) is presented as a Amazon-like warrior with a lion and axe. Europa (modern-day Europe) is presented as a robe-wearing maiden bearing fruits of the harvest and monarchal symbols. Mexicana (modern-day North America) sits perched atop the left column holding a bow and arrow and accompanied by an armadillo. Africa, similarly perched atop the right column, grasps an umbrella and arrows while lounging on a crocodile. Asia wears an interpretation of Oriental robes while bearing incense and flowering herbs and being followed by a peacock or phoenix, representing the mysticism and exoticism present in European Orientalism. The final allegory presented in Magalanica, also known as Terra Australis or Magellanica (Land of Magellan), a speculated southern continent unconfirmed until the 19th century that we now know as Antarctica. In her space are burning incense and an elephant, which early geographers speculated to have existed on this continent.
In the center lies Atlas, the Titan tasked with holding up the heavens for eternity, proudly established over his globes and remarking on the exploration that the bearer of this book will embark upon.
Creator
Mercator, Gerhard (1512-1594)
Hondius, Jodocus (1563-1612)
Publisher
Amsterodami: Sumptibus Johannis Coppenburgii
Date
Published in 1632
Contributor
Cloppenburch, Jansz (1611-1643) (Printer)
Van den Keere, Pieter (1571-1641) (Engraver)
Format
Wood pulp paper printed with engraved wooden blocks and bound with cardboard.
Image/jpeg
Image/jpeg
Language
lat
Type
image
Coverage
17th century cartography
Collection
Citation
Mercator, Gerhard (1512-1594) and Hondius, Jodocus (1563-1612), “Mercator, Frontspiece/Second Title Page of Atlas Sive Colmographicae Meditationes de Fabrica Mundi et Fabrica Figura,” Tufts Libraries Omeka, accessed April 25, 2024, https://omeka.library.tufts.edu/items/show/855.