Polus Antarcticus
[Antarctic pole]
Amsterdam: JANSSON, Jan, c. 1645
Size (neatline): 49.9 x 43.8 cm / 19.6 x 17.2 in
Size (sheet): 55.2 x 48.5 cm / 21.7 x 19.1 in
Technique: Copper engraving
Colour: Hand coloured
Verso: Latin text
Condition: Very good
One of the earliest maps of Antarctica
Description
This c. 1645 Jansson map on a circular south-polar projection was originally drawn by Henricus Hondius II and first published by him in the late 1630s. It is one of the first to focus entirely on the South Pole.
The map shows the southern tips of South America, Africa, and Madagascar as well as the incomplete coastline of Australia. The still conjectured outline of Terra Australis Incognita – the unknown southern land – is shown as sections of coastline, combined with strings of islands. An annotation in Latin along them states that “Hernando Galego, who was sent to explore them by the King of Spain in 1576, affirms that there are islands from New Guinea to the Strait of Magellan.”
Around Australia, early Dutch explorations are noted, including Pieter Nuyts’ 1626-1627 expedition, which mapped part of the continent’s southern coast. Although the map was likely published shortly after Tasman’s sightings of Van Diemen's Land / Tasmania and New Zealand, these are not shown here yet, appearing only in later editions.
The vignettes in the four corners around the map depict native peoples in various settings, including hunting scenes, as well as local flora and fauna, and numerous boats and ships.
The map features a small title cartouche with Jansson’s name.
A highly decorative map, blending fact and fiction in an understated way.
Condition
Very good.
A clear impression on a sheet issued folding, now flattened. Beautiful colouring throughout. Very light spotting across image. Professional repair to a chip at top left edge. On verso, minor professional reinforcement in left half.
Item #: 02836
US $2,200.00