Hondius' cooperplate:  South-Central South America with Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina:  PARAGVAY, O PROV. DE RIO DE LA PLATA.... Sta. CRVZ LA SIERRA.

Original copperplate printed map
Fine Handcolor
375 x 480 mm
Map # AM-248
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An attractive title cartouche dominates the top right of this map.   North is at the top of this map. 

This map was first engraved for Jodocus Hondius II and was among the copperplates purchased by Blaeu in 1629 after Hondius II's death in that year.  The map has the imprint of Willem Blaeu as the printer and publisher for this map at the bottom right within a decorative box (Guiljelmus Blaeuw excudit).   Blaeu had the earlier imprint of "Iudocus Hondius excudit" removed from the copperplate, when he acquired the plate.

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.

German text describing this region of the Rio de la Plata on the verso of this map.  This map is from Willem Blaeu's Novus Atlas of 1634 with a signature on the verso of "H", based on van der Krogt (p. 603).  This map appeared the various Blaeu atlases up to the German edition of c.1670.

Reference:  van der Krogt, Peter.  Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici.  vol.II.   Tooley, R.V. Collectors' Guide to Maps of the African Continent and Southern Africa. London: Carta Press, 1969. p.28-29.  

Very Fine Condition.     A fine map of this region of South America.