“100 IMPORTANT ITEMS” - Kunstantikvariat Pama AS

15. WILLIAM J. BLAEU (1571 - 1638)
“Nova Totius Terrarum Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula”
Handcoloured engraving, 41x55cm
AMSTERDAM 1641
A FAMOUS “MERCATOR-PROJECTION MAP” OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF DUTCH MAP MAKING.
The first world map by Blaeu and was in use until it was replaced by the double hemisphere map in “Atlas Major” c. 1662. Engraved by Josua van
den Ende. First published c. 1606 as a separate sheet, in an atlas from c. 1630. This copy comes from an early German text edition “Atlas Novus”
from 1641. The map is a fine example of cartography as art. The border panels on all four sides show the five known planets with the sun and the
moon, symbols of the four elements and the four seasons. Lower border has the seven wonders from the ancient world. Decorative elements include
several ships, sea monsters and compass cards. Also depicted is the interest in and exploration of the North-East passsage.
The full sheet laid down on a fine transparent Japan - tissue paper. Three weak folds along the centrefold and in the right part of the map, a closed tear in lower margin. A decorative
copy.
(Ref: R. Shirley “Mapping of the world” no. 255, state 4, “Old” Koeman 31A, F. C. Wieder “The Dutch Discovery and mapping of Spitsbergen 1596 - 1829“ no. 56,
W. B. Ginsberg “Norvegia” no. 48)
70 000,-
(€8100)
Kunstantikvariat PAMA
19