Catalog Archive
Auction 136, Lot 194

"Nova Virginiae Tabula", Hondius, Henricus

Subject: Colonial Mid-Atlantic

Period: 1636 (published)

Publication: Atlas

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19.8 x 15 inches
50.3 x 38.1 cm
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This graphic map is Henricus Hondius' version of Capt. John Smith's important map of 1612, drawn from his brother's map of 1618. After the death of Jodocus Hondius in 1629, his widow sold a number of plates to Blaeu. Angry at the sale to a competitor, Henricus and Joannes Jansson engaged engravers to cut new plates, which were largely based on Jodocus' work. This is the 5th derivative of Smith's map. It is beautifully engraved with topographical features and the locations of scores of Indian villages. In the upper left corner is an engraving of the great Indian chief Powhatan seated on his throne and surrounded by his subjects. A Susquehanna chief, facing in toward Chesapeake Bay (opposite of Jodocus' plate), is depicted on the right under a coat of arms. The English text on verso provides an interesting description of colony and the native Virginians.

References: Burden #228; Tooley (Amer) pp. 165-66.

Condition: B+

A nice example with a minor repair in the bottom border and margin, with a tiny bit of the neatline in facsimile.

Estimate: $2,400 - $3,000

Sold for: $1,800

Closed on 6/1/2011

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