An early issue of this map of the South Pole

HONDIUS, Henricus.

Polus Antarcticus.
Amsterdam: Jan Jansson, 1639, Dutch text edition. Coloured. 440 x 500mm.

A few small repairs.

The first of three states of this map of the South Pole to just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. First published in 1637, it is important as one of the first maps to show the discoveries of Pieter Nuyts on the southern coast of Australia, prior to the arrival of Tasman and his discovery of Tasmania in 1642.

In each of the four corners are vignettes of different races of the Southern Hemisphere. This first state has a decorative cartouche for the title, with a second one for the dedication left blank; in the second state (post-1650), Jansson added his name and removed the blank cartouche; the third state had the title cartouche removed so that Tasman's discovery of New Zealand could be added.

KOEMAN: Me 70a: SCHILDER: Map 44, illus.
Stock ID : 20875