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Copper-engraved map, hand-colored. 36.8x46 cm. (14½x18").

The Western Hemisphere as known at the end of the 16th century, by the grandson of Gerard Mercator. Following the death of Gerard in 1594, his son Rumold took up the task of publishing the last three parts that formed his famous atlas, Atlantis Par Altera. The atlas was finished with a number of maps engraved by various descendants of Gerard. The task of the American map was given to his grandson Michael. It is the only printed map known to be by him, and Burden calls it "beautifully engraved." He goes on to describe it as "a hemispherical map contained within an attractive floral design, and surrounded by four roundels, one of which contains the title. The other three contain maps of the Gulf of Mexico, Cuba, and Hispaniola, all spheres of Spanish influence. The general outline is largely taken from Rumold Mercator's world map of 1587, with a little more detail added. A few of the most famous theories are still present: a large inland lake in Canada, two of the four islands of the North Pole, a bulge to the west coast of South America and the large southern continent. It does not show any knowledge of the English in Virginia, which is possibly a reflection of their failure by then. A large St. Lawrence River is shown originating half way across the continent..."  French text on verso, with folio no. 39 and signature mark I. The map of from the 1619 edition of the Mercator-Hondius Atlas. Burden 87; Wagner NW Coast 179.