| Willem Jansz. Blaeu | |
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Amsterdam, 1634 From the First Edition: SWITZERLAND: HELVETIA cum finitimis regionibus confoederatis. Describebat Gerard' Mercator, et excudebat Guiljelmus Blaeu. Original copperplate printed
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This is Willem Blaeu's map showing The Swiss Confederation. Basel is at the top of the map and the Italian Alps with Lakes Maggiore Como, etc. at the bottom of the map, Lake Geneva on the left. This is a finely detailed map, filled with the numerous place names of Switzerland: St Moritz, St. Gall, etc., etc. On the map Blaeu acknowledges the Mercator map of Switzerland as the model for this map (Describebat Gerard' Mercator). Two "typical" Swiss citizens are shown at the lower right besides the mileage scale. 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 17th 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 is the first appearance of Blaeu's map of Switzerland. This map is from Willem Blaeu's Novus Atlas of 1634 with a signature on the verso of "Sss". German text describing Switzerland is on the verso of this map. This map appeared in editions of the Blaeu atlases to the Spanish edition of 1672. Reference: van der Kogt, Peter. Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici. vol.II. p. 552 Tooley, Collectors' Guide to Maps of Africa, p.28-29. Fine Condition overall, with
minor professional repair to bottom centerfold separation on
the verso. |
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