A superb set of miniature maps from this popular pocket atlas. The attribution of these maps is confusing and different references attribute them variously to Langenes, Claesz, Bertius, Hondius and Van den Keere (Kaerius); all in fact are correct. Langenes was the printer, Claesz the publisher, Bertius wrote the text for the Latin editions, and the plates were engraved by Hondius and Van den Keere. This set is from a Latin edition attributed to Bertius, published between 1602 and 1606.

1) Typus Orbis Terrarum is an oval world map set in a strapwork surround, with cartography based on Ortelius. Hondius' signature appears at the bottom.
2) The map of the Americas also follows Ortelius in outline and is set in a strapwork background. This is the first state without Tierra del Fuego.
3) Asiae shows the Dutch attempts to find a Northeast Passage with the southwestern tip of Novaya Zemlya depicted off the northern coastline of Tartaria. It presents a different view of the continent than contemporary maps of Asia, particularly in the northeast region where Korea is shown as a long peninsula.
4) The map of Africa appears to be reduced from Hondius' large map with the typical misconceptions of the period, including the source for the Nile located in South Africa. The map is decorated with a strapwork cartouche and a pair of sea monsters.
5) Europa was engraved by Hondius and stretches to include Greenland, Iceland and part of the North American coast labeled Estonland with the mythical island of Frisland just offshore.

References: World - Shirley #211; America - Burden #92; Asia - Yeo #18.

Condition: A+