Coloured map of Africa by Jodocus Hondius from a German edition of Henricus Hondius’ reissue of Mercator’s Atlas. When Henricus obtained the plate he re-engraved several sections, principally in the oceans, added the date of 1631 along with his name to the title cartouche and removed the decorative borders on all four sides of the map that appeared in Jodocus’ original carte-a-figures version. This finely engraved map includes many ornamental features including several sailing ships and sea monsters along with an image of Neptune and a mermaid in the lower left. In common with Africa maps of the period, since little was known of the continents’s interior several areas only show indigenous animals including elephants, lions and crocodiles. A description of Africa appears on the verso in German. Other than a repair to a bottom centrefold split, the map is a finely coloured, strong dark impression on heavy stable paper with wide margins in excellent condition. 38 cm x 50 cm