Map of Navarra Antique. 1638

Wonderful antique map of Navarra published in 1638 by Janssonius-Hondius, in excellent condition. The map is a work by the famous publisher and engraver Jan Janssonius who teamed up with his brother-in-law Henricus Hondius (Henrici Hondy in the signature printed in the central bottom cartouche) to create and develop the Atlas Novus, later known as Atlas Major. The map is greatly preserved, moreover if we consider that it is more than 350 years old. It depicts the ancient Kingdom of Navarra with its surroundings and borders, printed in black ink and with watercolor details painted by hand. The map is beautifully made. The names of the places and the topographic data are printed in Latin and Spanish. We can see names such as Castilla, Pamplona, San Salvador de Leyre, Sanguesa places that are still known under those names. The borders and other details are colored by hand with yellow, brownish, pink and red watercolors. At the right top corner we can see the name NAVARRA inside a lovely red motive, over the coat of arms of the kingdom in bright red and yellow colors. At the bottom of the map, in the middle we can see a cartouche with the scale and the publishers signature (Hondici) in Latin. At the rear side of the map there is a profuse description of Navarra printed in Latin, corresponding to the Atlas Novus. This striking antique map of Navarra is bound to shine in a stylish dining room or study, where it will stand out for its beauty and authenticity. Measurements: Paper: Width: 22.4 in / 57 cm. Height: 18.8 in / 48 cm. Engraving: Width: 19.4 in / 49.5 cm. Height: 15.3 in / 39 cm.Jan Janssonius History Jan Janssonius (Johannes Janssonius, 1588-1664) was a Dutch cartographer and published, famous for his contribution to the Hondius Atlas. The relationship between Janssonius and Hondius started in 1612, when the first married Jodocus Hondiuss daughter, Elisabeth de Hondt. Janssonius was the son of a Dutch published and bookseller. He produced his first maps of France and Italy in 1616. In 1623 he owned a bookstore in Frankfurt am Main and later he opened other shops in different European cities. In 1630 Janssonius teamed up with his brother in law, Henricus Hondius, and they started publishing the famous Mercator/Hondius/Janssonius atlases. Under the Atlas Novus name, in 1638 the work was composed of three volumes; in 1646, a volume with English County Maps came out. In 1660 the work changed its name for Atlas Major it already consisted of eleven volumes with the work of about a hundred credited authors and engravers. It included a town atlas, an Atlas Maritimus and the Atlas of Heavens by Andreas Cellarius. After Janssoniuss death, the publishing company was continued by his son-in-law, Johannes van Waesberg.