Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula. a Pet: Kaerio....  Amstelodami Excudebat Ioannes Iansonius.

Original copperplate engraved map
Fine handcolor
400  x 530 mm
Map # W-133
$ Sold

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The surrounding borders of the map are decorated with twenty-two vignettes.  Across the top are allegorical representations of the sun and the five known planets.  The left border illustrates the four elements (fire, air, water, and earth) and the right border shows the four seasons.  Across the bottom are views of the seven wonders of the ancient world.  The prime meridian is in the center of the map.  Map insets of the North and South Poles at bottom corners of the map.  There are also rhumb lines radiating from three attractive compass roses

The map has additional legends, not on the Blaeu map:  importantly, the explorations in the northern regions.  The map has a long notation to the left and right of the large cartouche titled America that discusses whether in fact the Anian Straits (where Alaska is) and the Davis Straits do join to form a northwest passage.

Pieter van den Keere prepared this map in 1608 and eventually sold the copperplate to Jansson in 1620.  This map is from the 4th state (with the date erased).  The 1st state is the 1608 map, the 2nd state is the addition of Le Maire's Strait made by van den Keere, the 3rd state is the addition of Jansson's name in 1621, and the 4th state has the date of 1621 erased.  "Examples of the first three states are rare and the fourth state is uncommon"  (Shirley, p. 283).  Shirley notes that "copies the fourth state are to be found in the rare Atlantis Maioris Appendix by Jansson and Hondius...." (Shirley, p. 283).  This map is from a Dutch edition of the Appendix dated 1637, or the Nieuwen Atlas of 1638-44, or 1645-58.  Dutch text on verso with signature of "A".  (Koeman).

(Shirley, The Mapping of the World, map # 264.  Koeman [van den Kogt] vol.I, p.565).

Very Fine Condition.  Attractively colored.  Solid paper with no paper faults.  Wide margins.