Tab IX Asia Continens Ariam Paropanisum Drangianam Arachosiam et Gedrosiam

Circa 1697

Original hand-coloured copper engraving on paper

Print size: 13.9 x 15.4 in (35.5 x 39.2 cm)
Sheet size: 16.3 x 18.3 in (41.6 x 46.6 cm)
With mount: 22.6 x 24.6 in (57.5 x 62.5 cm)

Gerard Mercator was one of many cartographers who updated and reproduced the work of the ancient Greek geographer Ptolemy, even though he is best known for the map projection that carries his name. One such map is this one, which was published in Amsterdam in circa 1697. Mercator originally published this map in his 1578 edition of Ptolemy's Geographia.

In the present map it depicts Pakistan's Indus River Valley now, with the Arabian Sea in the bottom left corner. In contrast to a brief glance at Google Maps, the depictions of lakes and mountain ranges are surprisingly accurate, especially when one considers that the data was more than 1,500 years old when it was published.

A decorative cartouche in the lower right reflects the contemporary European impression of the regional inhabitants. A semi-nude native is shown holding what appear to be strings of cowrie shells — a form of currency used in areas across the world. On the opposite side are two wealthy men — possibly merchants based on the bolts rolled cloth at their feet.

Gerard Mercator
Gerard Kremer, known by his Latinized name Gerardus Mercator (5 March 1512 – 2 December 1594), also called Mercator or Gerardo Mercator is one of the most famous cartographers of all time. Mercator was born in Flanders and educated at the Catholic University in Leuven. After his graduation in 1532, Mercator worked with Gemma Frisius, a prominent mathematician, and Gaspar a Myrica, a goldsmith and engraver. Together, these men produced globes and scientific instruments, allowing Mercator to hone his skills. With his wife, Barbara, Mercator had six children: Arnold, Emerentia, Dorothes, Bartholomeus, Rumold, and Catharina. In 1552, Mercator moved to Duisburg from Leuven, where he lived for the rest of his life. In 1564, he was appointed the official cosmographer to the court of Duke Wilhelm of Cleve.

Mercator’s enduring contribution to cartography is the term “atlas”, which was first used to describe his collection of maps gathered in one volume. The Mercator atlas was published in 1595, a year after Mercator’s death, thanks to the work of his sons, particularly Rumold, and his grandsons.

Apart from the creation and popularisation of a projection which now bears his name. On Mercator projection maps, all parallels and meridians are drawn at right angles to each other, with the distance between the parallels extending towards the poles. This allowed for accurate latitude and longitude calculation and also allowed navigational routes to be drawn using straight lines, a huge advantage for sailors as this enabled them to plot courses without constant recourse to adjusting compass readings.

Mercator’s life works was a corrected and improved edition of maps based upon the work of Claudius Ptolemy. "His interpretation of the 28 Ptolemaic text was possibly one of the truest undertaken up until that time. He had spent 13 years researching, drawing and engraving the maps at much commercial sacrifice to himself, having seen Orteliu's Theatrum and De Jodes Speculum published, to become both technical and commercial successes. In later life he devoted himself to his edition of the maps in Ptolemy's Geographia, reproduced in his own engraving as nearly as possible in their original form". (Source: antiquarius.it, online)

This work will be shipped unframed

NON-EXPORTABLE

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as reference for the condition of each lot.