Mercator G.: CANDIA. 1595. Impressive copper engraved map of Crete, 49x36cm, from the first and only edition of Atlas sive Cosmographica Meditationes prepared by Mercator himself. Only in this edition (Zacharakis 2209) the map of Crete has been issued from the copper plate prepared by Mercator.The later editions of Mercator map of Candia, prepared by Hondius (Zacharakis 2214 etc) used other plate with differences. Beautiful 16th century full body coloring, some light inoffensive misfold on the center fold where it was attached to the Atlas, otherwise fine condition. The Mercator Atlas had limited print run, as Mercator died before its completion. Very few copies have been contemporary colored so richly. EXTREMELY RARE