Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638). Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula auct: Guiljelmo Blaeuw. (Amsterdam, 1634-1635). Fourth state. Copperplate engraving with superb hand-color. 16 x 21 3/8 in. to neat line; sheet: 19 5/8 x 23 1/8 in. Latin text on verso. Very good condition with sharp engraving on heavy paper, superb hand-color, and wide margins.
$12,500.00
One of the finest and most famous world maps to appear in an atlas during the Golden Age of Dutch cartography.
While Blaeu was in the process of publishing his four-sheet wall map of the world on Mercator’s projection, a world map in folio size using the same projection was issued by his publishing house. For many years, this map remained in atlases published by the Blaeu family, in spite of the increasing geographical knowledge then available. Apparently, purchasers preferred a decorative map of the world to a map that provided up-to-date geographical knowledge. Eventually Joan Blaeu, in his Atlas Maior (1662-64), replaced the world map made by his father with a new map. The present offering (fourth state) was included in Blaeu’s 1630 Appendix and in all of the Blaeu family’s atlases, except the Atlas maior.
The map is framed with decorative borders showing the seven ancient wonders of the world, the sun, moon and the five known planets, the four elements, and the four seasons.
At the center of North America is a cartouche containing Latin text: America. First discovered in A.D. 1492 by Christopher Colombus in the name of the king of Castille and given the name by Amerigo Vespucci in 1499.
The usual cartographic errors occur on this map. There is some confusion about the coastline of Northeast America. California (Baja) is correctly depicted as a peninsula. The Le Maire Straits separating Tierra del Fuego from South America is introduced in this fourth state. A large Terra Australis is shown in the South, and in the Far East, Korea is shown as an island.
Willem Blaeu was arguably the most important cartographer of the Dutch Golden Age and one of the most famous 16th century publishers. The Blaeu Family flourished in Amsterdam for over 40 years publishing maps, globes, and atlases until a fire destroyed their workshop in 1672. The present map is an outstanding cartographic accomplishment produced of the finest materials, craftsmanship, and geographical information of the time. It became the standard world map included in Blaeu’s atlases up until 1662. This wonderfully collectible map of the world makes a quintessential addition to any collection.
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