Venezvela, cum parte Australi Novæ Andalusiæ
[Venezuela with part of Southern New Andalusia]
from Theatrum Orbis Terrarum sive Atlas Novus
Willem Janszoon Blaeu/Joan Blaeu, Amsterdam: Mid 17th Century
Hand-colored engraving
14.75 x 19 inches, plate mark
20.5 x 25 inches, overall
$1,500
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Blaeu Map of Venezuela
Amsterdam, Mid 17th C.
Amsterdam, Mid 17th C.
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Early Dutch map of Venezuela showing mountains as raised topography, embellished with images of trees and animals such as a bird, ram, and monkeys. Two Baroque cartouches, the main one flanked by cherubs. Ship and two compass roses among rhumb lines in the oceans.
The Blaeu family of cartographers, founded by Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) in the 1630s, became the largest printer in 17th century Europe and the leading cartographic publishers during the golden age of Dutch map making. After Willem’s death in 1638, the firm continued under the direction of his sons Cornelis (d. 1642) and Joan (1596-1673) until a fire destroyed the business in 1672. Their works covered the range of cosmography, uranography, hydrography, chorogreaphy and topography. Heirs and successors such as Covens & Mortier continued to publish the Blaeu family’s works into the 18th century.
Willem Blaeu was a surveyor, globemaker and publisher. Up to 1617, he signed his work Guilielmus Janssonius or Willems Jans Zoon, sometimes confused with his contemporary Jan Jansson. His later work was signed G. Blaeu. His early works include a globe from 1599, and maps of European countries and a world map in 1604-08. In 1629 he acquired 37 plates of maps from Jodocus Hondius, and built upon this acquisition to create the great series of atlases that followed. The Blaeu family are best known for their magnificent multi-volume world atlas Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, published in various editions and languages from 1635 (first edition by Willem Blaeu), and reissued variously in 17th century. Another significant Blaeu atlas was Atlas Maior (1662), and a major achievement was Joan Blaeu’s 1648 separately issued map of the world composed of 20 sheets, Nova totius Terrarum orbis Tabula.
Condition: Generally very good for age with usual light overall toning. Scattered wear, mostly to edges with small marginal tears and losses, restored as professionally backed on supporting Japanese paper. Residue scattered minor black paint from former eglomise mat in margins, can be rematted out.
References:
Fleet, Christopher. "Joan Blaeu." Pont Maps Biographies. National Library of Scotland. 2000. http://www.nls.uk/pont/bio/blaeu.html (17 September 2002).
Tooley, R.V. Maps and Map-Makers. 4th Ed. New York: Bonanza Books, 1970. pp. 33-34.