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To view other works by the Blaeu family of cartographers, including maps and city views, type "Blaeu" in our search engine.
Important early map of the Americas from Blaeu’s atlas, generally referred to by its Latin title, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The map contains a number of historic “firsts” and is charmingly illustrated with depictions of a Mohawk village (detail above left), animals and ships at sea. Primarily based on a 1614 figurative manuscript map drawn by Adriaen Block, a Dutch fur trader who explored the area between Cape Cod and Manhattan, it is oriented so north is to the right. Block was the first to show Manhattan as an island and put the terms Manhates and Nieu Nederlandt on a map. Blaeu incorporated information from other sources, adding to and correcting some of the geography of the Block original. The Connecticut River is called here Versche Rivier, Long Island Sound is De Groote bay, and the East River is called Hellegat. The Hudson River is shown with Dutch settlements, but not named. Lake Champlain is called Lacus Irocoisiensis (Lake Iroquois) and placed east of where it actually is. Also shown is Adriaen Blocx Eylandt, known as Block Island to this day. Blaeu’s map has the distinction of being the first appearance of beavers, polecats and otters on a published map; other animals shown include deer, foxes, bears, egrets, rabbits, cranes and turkeys. The original editions appeared in Latin, German, Dutch and French versions of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum in 1635. It was reissued at various times by Blaeu’s successors, through at least 1667. The firm was destroyed in a fire in 1672, which apparently ended production of this map. The one offered here is marked verso with the signature “C 2,” which dates it to the first French edition, published in 1635 (Burden).
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 with the usual overall light toning and wear. Vertical center fold, as issued. Large margins, with some minor chipping to right margin edge.
References:
Burden, Philip D. The Mapping of North America: A List of Printed Maps 1511-1670. Herts, England: Raleigh Publications, 1996. 241.
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.