Coloured map of China, Korea and Japan by Jodocus Hondius from a ca 1620 French edition of the Mercator/Hondius Atlas published by his son, Henricus. After acquiring Mercator’s atlas plates from his heirs in 1604, Jodocus prepared several new maps (of which this is one) for an updated and expanded version of the atlas that was first issued in 1606. The map, which covers the area from the north-west tip of North America in the east to India in the west and from the Philippines and northern Indochina in the south to Tartary in the north, curiously shows Korea as an elongated island and a very misshapen Japan. The map clearly identifies the Great Wall stretching across China’s northern frontier and is decorated with three strapwork cartouches, one of which describes the crucifixion of Christian martyrs, a strange land sailing vessel, sailing ships and a sea monster. A description of the China appears on the verso in French. The map, which has old colouring that has been recently refreshed, is a strong, dark impression with wide margins in excellent condition. 34 cm x 45.5 cm.