Sabaudia Ducatus La Savoie

Amsterdam: Jodocus Hondius. unbound. Map. c. 1630. Engraving. Image measures 14.75" x 19.5".<br/> <br/> This beautiful circa 1630 map features the Savoy region of France. Extending southward from Lake Geneva or Lac Leman to Grenoble, the map covers the departments of Savoie and Haute-Savoie in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps region of France. Includes parts of southern Switzerland and Piemont in Italy. This map labels several towns, villages, and rivers with beautifully rendered forests and mountains. <br> <br> This mountainous region, popular for its ski resorts, is also known for the beautiful volcanic rock formations and for the production of the French AOC wines, Chignin and Chignin Bergeron and Roussette de Savoie Monterminod. The neighboring region of Piedmont in Italy is also famous for its Italian wines, such as the Barola, Barbaresco and the sparkling Asti.<br> <br> Originally created by Mercator, this plate was issued after his death by the prominent engraver and instrument-maker Jodocus Hondius, who republished Mercator's work in many languages and editions. A beautiful title cartouche is included. The map is engraved by Abraham Goos. In good condition with minor wear and verso repair along the original centerfold. Minor foxing. <br> <br> Gerardum Mercator (1512-1594) was an accomplished mathematician, cartographer, globe maker and engraver but is best known for the Mercator Projection. Incorporating the newly accepted fact that the world is round, Mercator was able to render longitude lines consistently straight on a chart. Although this requires some distortion, it was of great use for navigators, and is historically important, as it is still the most commonly used projection today. Although their partnership was only indirect, Mercator and Hondius are one of the most significant pairs in the history of mapmaking.<br/> <br/>