Polus Antarcticus Illustrated Atlas Page

Illustrated atlas page showing Antarctic region. Published by Johannes Janssonius (also called Jansson), Amsterdam.

This map can be identified as a Second State version of Polus Antarcticus using the characteristics laid out in an article by Michael Ross. Unlike the original version of this map, which was published by Henricus Hondius in the 1630s, this version was published by Johannes Janssonius (also known as Jan Jansson), a noted Dutch cartographer and publisher. His name can be seen in the decorative title cartouche on the map.

Because little was known about Antarctica at this time these maps were published, the color drawings that decorate the edges of the atlas pages depict a variety native peoples and activities based upon known discoveries elsewhere. The drawings illustrate scenes of hunting, fishing, and boating, and depict a green (even tropical) landscape. They also provide an interesting look at some unusual native animals – penguins and “sea lions.” In the background of the illustration in the bottom right cover of the atlas page (see below), natives can be seen hunting a penguin with a spear. A large penguin also stands next to a person in the foreground. Penguins, which are also found at the southern tips of South American and Africa, are pretty accurately depicted, although perhaps a little large. However, “sea lions,” which must have been much less familiar to European publishers, appear as African lions frolicking in the shallow sea water rather than the flippered marine mammals that we are familiar with today.