1639-44 A New Description of the Shyres Lothian and Linlitquo.Be T. Pont
By: Henricus Hondius
Date: 1639-44 (published) Amsterdam.
Dimensions: 14.5 x 21 inches (36.83 x 53.34 cm).
This is an authentic, antique map of the shires of Lothian in Scotland. It was created by Henricus Hondius and is based upon the surveys by the minister and mapmaker Timothy Pont.
Pont was a Scottish clergyman who personally surveyed and mapped the shires of Scotland between the years 1595 and 1608. Unfortunately, he lacked financial means, and died before his maps were published. This map was the only one engraved while he was still alive. The Scottish bookmaker Andrew Hart paid Dutch cartographer Jodocus Hondius to engrave it in 1612, and it appeared in the Mercator/Hondius atlas in 1630. This particular specimen is a later version, with the names ‘Jodocus Hondius and Hart’ removed and ‘Henricus Hondius excudit' in its place.
Pont was a skilled cartographer, and this map is a testament to his work. It provides a very rich illustration of Lothian, and includes many of the region’s landmarks. There are detailed, miniature sketches of the city of Edinburgh, Linlithgow Palace, and Tyningham House, which were drawn according to Pont’s personal observations. The map also includes many prominent geographical features, such as Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat and the Pentland Hills.
The map also has nice decorative flourishes. A cartouche which contains a dedication to King James I adorns the upper-right-hand portion of the map, and is surrounded by sailing ships and a compass rose.
Condition: This map is in B condition, with original coloring, breaks along the centerfold that have been repaired on the verso, and a paper pull in the lower-right hand corner.
Inventory #19478
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