Rare Jodocus Hondius II Edition of Robert Hues' Treatise on How to Use the 1592 Molyneux Globe
Enlarged edition (the first having been issued in 1594) of English mathematician and geographer Robert Hues (1553-1632) work on globes. This edition was published in Amsterdam by Jodocus Hondius II in 1617, just as Hondius was becoming interested in publishing his own globes, after inheriting the business from his father.
Notably, there are numerous references to American geography (pages 63 & 65-66), including a nice full-page woodcut map of North and South America (page 76). The book also includes several woodcut illustrations of globes and armillary spheres. There is a nice volvelle with two moving elements on page 83.
Hues was a fascinating character. After studying navigation at a school set up by Walter Raleigh, he went on to accompany Thomas Cavendish on his circumnavigation of the globe. During the circumnavigation, Hues made important astronomical observations in the Southern Hemisphere. The observations made on that voyage led Hues to publish his Tractatus de globis et eorum usu (Treatise on Globes and Their Use) which was written to explain the use of the terrestrial and celestial globes that had been made and published by Emery Molyneux in late 1592 or early 1593, and to encourage English sailors to use practical astronomical navigation. Hues's work subsequently went into at least 12 other printings in Dutch, English, French, and Latin.
Interestingly, at the time this edition was published, Hues was probably in the Tower of London attending to one of several aristocrats whom he worked for during their imprisonment.
Some sources record a 1617 printing attributed to Henricus Hondius, though in light of the present edition, that might represent a cataloging mistake.
Hues had a rich life, during an extremely important time in the history of cartography. Though he is often overlooked by map devotees, time spent with his biography is well worth it.
Rarity
Only a single sold example of this 1617 edition recorded in RBH during the last fifty years.
Provenance
Bookseller's label on front pastedown: "C.E. Rappaport Libri Rari Roma"