Mercator's famous map of Iceland, published shortly after the appearance of the first map of the island by Ortelius. Based on the lost map by Bishop Porlaksson. 

As with most maps published in the early part of the Dutch Golden Age, this map is based on the lost map of Bishop Porlaksson, who is believed to have passed on his work to the Danish historian Andreas Vedel. Abraham Ortelius, the author of the first printed atlas, consulted Vedel when he planned to add a map of Iceland to his book and it duly appeared in the 1587 edition of the work. 

In 1595, another derivation was introduced by Rumold Mercator for his planned atlas. Although not as decorative as Ortelius' map, this version contained several more details as well as approximately forty extra place names. 

The Mercator firm sold their copper plates to Jodocus Hondius, who continued to publish this map in his run of "Mercator Hondius" atlases from 1606 onwards.

Very much presented and engraved in the style of the Dutch Golden Age, with a large sea monster on the northern shore of the island, stippled seas and a beautiful scroll work cartouche on the upper right.  

This example is from the 1630 edition of the work. Latin text on verso. Original colour. [SCAN2664]