Lot 213

MERCATOR & HONDIUS MAP OF THE SPICE ISLANDS CIRCA 1630

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MERCATOR & HONDIUS MAP OF THE SPICE ISLANDS CIRCA 1630

Estimate: $1,000 - $1,500

Current Bid: $500

(1 Bid)

by Soulis Auctions
June 27, 2026 11:30 AM CDT
Live Auction
529 West Lone Jack-Lee’s Summit Rd
Lone Jack, MO, US 64070

Gerardus Mercator And Jodocus Hondius

The Principal Islands of the East Indies, in which the Moluccas are the most famous.

17th Century

The 17th century hand colored copperplate map by Gerardus Mercator and Jodocus Hondius (circa 1630 or earlier), is titled INSULAE Indiae PRAECIPUAE, In quibus Moluccae celeberrimae sunt, which translates to The Principal Islands of the East Indies, in which the Moluccas are the most famous. The cartography focuses on some of the most valuable real estate on earth in the 16th century, specifically the five islands of the Moluccas-Ternate, Tidore, Motir, Machian, and Bachian-famed for cloves, nutmeg, and mace. Further depicted are naval battles, sea monsters. It records the earliest European attempts to chart the coasts of New Guinea and Java and includes ornate strapwork, compass rose and botanical illustrations, presumably of cloves and spices. Printed text verso.

Sheet measures 16.5 x 21.5 with a framed size of 19.75 x 25.75 inches.

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  • Provenance: The estate of John Adair Jr. (1942-2025), founder and proprietor of Kurofune Antiques in Tokyo (est. 1978), a world-renowned destination for Japanese basketry, prints and furniture featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal.
  • Dimensions: Sheet measures 16.5 x 21.5 with a framed size of 19.75 x 25.75 inches.
  • Medium: Prints
  • Circa: 17th Century
  • Condition: Very good condition, not laid down or backed, no damage, stain, punctures, tears or repair.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $99,999 $2,000
$100,000 + $10,000