Mercator, Gerard-Northumbria, Cumberlandia, et Dunelmensis Epifcopatus

Code: 53597

Circa 1620

waf.  Copper engraving; original  and later hand colouring. The text on the reverse is  in Latin, headed 'ANGLIAE II TABULA Quae continet Northumbriam, Cumberlandiam Cmitatus & Dunelmensem Episcopatum.   printed below scale line, below title cartouche  Miliaria mediocria Angliae.   Scale line:- 20 miles = 80.2 mm . This map is one of five regional maps of Britain from the world atlas, 'Atlantis Pars Altera Geographia Nova Totius Mundi, Authore Gerardo Mercatore ... Duysburgi ...' it delineates the northernmost counties of England in detail and the river, lakes and mountains of the Scottish border areas . Murus Picticus (Hadrian’s Wall as we now know it) clearly delineated.   This edition engraved by Hondius.   Overall sheet size: 53.8cms x 44.6cms; image size: 466mm x 353mm.  Archival strengthening at top of centrefold and 5.4cms at bottom centrefold, one minute hole repaired above signature of Hondius and one other in margin.  Publisher’s crease to left of centrefold and two top left map, barely visible else good condition and nicer than this sounds.  

Gerardus Mercator (1512-1594)

In 1534 Mercator began to study mathematics under Gemma Frisius at the University of Louvain where he learned how to apply mathematics to geography and astronomy. At this time Mercator also learnt the techniques of engraving and instrument-making from Gaspard Van den Heyden. He also found time to teach mathematics to the students at Louvain.

In 1535-36 Mercator, together with Van den Heyden and Gemma Frisius constructed a terrestrial globe though on this occasion Mercator's involvement was primarily that of engraver. In fact, this was the first time copper plates had been used to print the paper sections for the globe and consequently it was possible to achieve far greater detail than would have been the case had wood blocks been used.

Mercator produced his first actual map, of Palestine, in 1537. He produced his first map of the world in 1538 and this was the first map to show America stretching from north to south.Mercator's plan was to produce a large world map in sections and began the difficult task of making a map of Europe in 1540. In 1544 Mercator was arrested and charged with heresy partly because of his protestant beliefs but fortunately was released after seven months imprisonment since nothing could be found to incriminate him. However, it was a setback and it took some time and a lot of hard work for Mercator to re-