Polus Antarcticus

Acquired From: Gowrie Galleries

Colouring: Coloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: 28/09/2024

Date Acquired: 9/10/2002

Dealers ID No.: M163 (STK 1271.01)

Description: Henricus Hondius, the younger son of the renowned engraver and mapmaker Jodocus Hondius I, played a key role in the family mapmaking business, known as "In de Wackere Hondt" ("In the Vigilant Dog") in Amsterdam. Henricus worked closely with his father to expand and republish Gerard Mercators famous world atlas. Mercator passed away in 1594, leaving his ambitious Atlas unfinished. Mercators son, Rumold, completed and published the work in 1595 under the title Atlas sive Cosmographicæ meditationes de fabrica mundi et fabricati figura. A subsequent edition followed in 1602 but it was not commercially successful.nOne of the most notable maps included in the Atlantis maioris appendix is this hemispherical map centred on the South Pole. It first featured in the 1637 edition of the atlas, a period marked by intense exploration, particularly by Dutch navigators mapping the southern hemisphere's coasts and islands. The map was revised and reissued over the next six decades, with contributions from Johannes Janssonius, Frederick de Wit, Gerard Valk, and Pieter Schenk.nState 1 (This map): The original version of the map, published by Henricus Hondius, includes his name and the maps title within a decorative cartouche, along with a blank cartouche nearby. It documents the known Dutch discoveries in Australia up to 1627, such as Dirk Hartog's 1616 landing, the Leeuwins in 1622, and Pieter Nuyts' exploration in 1627. The map also features Frederick de Houtman's 1619 discoveries of "Houtman's Abrollos," along with the "Trial" Islands, "I. S. Pieter," and "I. S. Francois" off Australias southern coast.nThe inscription between the cartouches reads: "Infulas esse a nova Guinea usq. ad Fretum Magellanicum, affirmat Hernandus Galego, qui ad eas explorandas missus fuit a Rege Hispaniae Anno 1576," claiming that islands extended from New Guinea to the Strait of Magellan based on Hernando Gallegos 1576 exploration for Spain. These islands also appeared on other maps including Johanne Jansioniuss Mar del Zur Hispanis Mare Pacificum ( #43 and 282). nAnother inscription outside the map circle, at the lower left, states: "Has Insulas suis sumptibus nunquam cognitas detexit tam memorab. iss. nauclerus & explorator Iac. Lemaireus 1618," highlighting Jacob Le Maires 1618 discovery of these previously unknown islands.nState 2: In 1645, Hondiuss name was replaced with Janssoniuss.nState 3: By 1650, the blank cartouche was removed, and the region "Staten Landt," which appeared in the first two states as the eastward-extending coastline from Tierra del Fuego, was renamed "Staten Eylant" after Hendrik Brouwers discoveries in 1644.nState 4: ( #18) In 1657, the title cartouche was removed, and Abel Tasmans discoveries in Tasmania and New Zealand were added. These regions were marked as "Ant. van Diem. Landt" (Tasmania) and "Nova Zeelandia" (New Zealand), with Tasmans place names included.nThe map is further adorned with large vignettes in each corner, depicting native scenes, animals, birds, boats, and even a representation of a penguin.

Engraver: Hondius, Henricus (1597-1651)

First published: Atlantis maioris appendix, Amsterdam: Henricus Hondius, 1637

Mapmaker: Hondius, Henricus (1597-1651)

Other states: Second 1641, Third 1650, Fourth 1652 (View Record (#18))

Price: A3,700 plus gst

Primary Category: Southern Continent

Purchase Reference: Inv. 1309. Letter 2 Sept 2002

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Michael Ross, Polus Antarcticus: A Catalogue of Four States, Journal of the Australian Map Circle 54 (2003); nClancy, Manning, and Brolsma, Mapping Antarctica: A Five Hundred Year Record of Discovery, 277, map 10.3 (state 1639); nClancy, The Mapping of Terra Australis, 126, map 8.5 (state 1650); nSimon Dewez Printed World III pg 31-32, map 163

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1637