Blaeu's Upside Down New England: Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova

Original copperplate printed map.
Original Color
385 x 500 mm.
Map # AM-231
$ 6,500

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The map, oriented with south at the top, shows the east coast of America from Quebec City to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and focuses on Dutch colonialization from the Delaware River north to New England.  The English holdings of New England are confined to a narrow strip along the coast.  Nieu Pleimouth (Plymouth) is shown, just 14 years after its settlement.  The cartography is largely based on a manuscript map made in 1614 by the Dutch fur trader, Andriaen Block, for whom present day Block Island is named. Details on the interior are still vague: Lacus Irocoisiensis (Lake Champlain) is placed incorrectly; there is no Connecticut River shown.  The map also shows several palisade Indian villages and the locations of various Indian nations.  An attractive title cartouche is flanked by two Indians.

Willem Janszoon, or Willem Jansz Blaeu (1571-1638) as he is more commonly known, was one of the most noted Dutch cartographers and map publisher of the 17^th century.  R.V. Tooley stated that Blaeu’s maps are "esteemed by collectors for their decorative quality, historical importance, and as the highest expression of Dutch cartographic art during the period of its supremacy" (Tooley, p 28).  

After preparation as a pupil of the great Danish astronomer, Tycho Brahe, Blaeu initially concentrated on globe making and separately published maps, including wall maps of the continents.  From 1608, he dominated the market for sea atlases and in 1630 produced his terrestrial atlas.  These atlases were continued by his sons, culminating in the great Atlas Maior of 1662 in 11 volumes with subsequent editions.

This map was published by the Blaeus from 1634 to c.1670 (v.d. Krogt).   In 1672, a fire at the Blaeu offices destroyed its cartographic business.   Many of the copperplates were subsequently sold at auction but this map is not known to have been reissued after 1672.   This particular map came from Blaeu's German edition of the Novus Atlas of 1641-42 or 1647-49  .  German text on verso with a signature of "B 3".  (van der Krogt, p. 599).

References:  Burden, map #241. Goss, map #28.  Schwartz and Ehrenberg, p. 103.  van der Krogt, vol.II, p 599.   Tooley, Collectors' Guide to Maps of Africa, p.28-29.

A Very Fine Example of this desirable map; a serious collector's example.  A strong impression with complete margins,  in attractive original color.  One very old, but stable, paper repair on the verso (reverse) at bottom margin, possibly done while the map was still in its atlas.  Traces of linen tabs in the corners of the verso, used for the previous framing of this map.