Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) was one of the most important Dutch geographers and mapmakers of the 17th century. He was born the son of a herring merchant but traded fishmongering for studies in mathematics and astronomy. Blaeu’s first important breakthrough was winning an apprenticeship with the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe. Working at Brahe’s Uranienborg observatory on the island of Hven, Blaeu learned various disciplines and technical skills. These included mathematics, astronomy, instrument-making, and more esoteric disciplines such as alchemy. Returning to his native Holland, Blaeu established a publishing business in Amsterdam. He sold instruments and globes, printed maps, and his own editions of some of the great philosophical works of contemporary intellectuals like Descartes and Hugo Grotius. Achieving notoriety as a cartographic pioneer, Blaeu was appointed Chief Hydrographer to the powerful Dutch East India Company, a position he held until he died in 1638.
When Willem died, his sons Cornelis (1610-1648) and Joan (1596-1673) took over the business. Joan had originally trained as a lawyer but never took up the practice, preferring to work on maps with his father. After Willem’s death, Joan continued publishing his father’s and his own maps. He also assumed his father’s position as a hydrographer for the Dutch East India Company. Towards the end of his life, Joan would dramatically expand his father’s Atlas Novus (1635), turning it into his own masterpiece, the Atlas Maior (1662-72).
When Willem died, his two sons Cornelis (1610-1648) and Joan (1596-1673) took over the business. Joan had originally trained as a lawyer, but never took up practice, preferring to work on maps with his father. After Willem’s death, Joan continued to publish both his father’s and his own maps. He also assumed his father’s position as hydrographer for the Dutch East India Company. Towards the end of his life, Joan would dramatically expand his father’s Atlas Novus (1635), turning it into his own masterpiece, the Atlas Maior (1662-72).
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- Europe
Tabula Islandiae
- $1,000
- Blaeu’s stunning Carolus Map of Iceland: A Landmark in North Atlantic Cartography.
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- Asia
Asia Noviter Delineata
- $2,900
- Excellent old color example of Willem Blaeu’s seminal map of Asia -- one of the 17th century’s most influential depictions of this cartographically complicated continent.
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- Asia
Moluccae Insulae Celeberrimae
- $850
- Blaeu's iconic map of the Spice Islands/Moluccas.
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- North America, United States
Americae Nova Tabula.
- Superlative old color example of Blaeu's famous map of the Americas.
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- Asia
China Veteribus Sinarum Regio nunc Incolis Tame dicta.
- Willem Janzoon Blaeu’s first map of China.
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- Africa
Africae nova descriptio.
- Excellent old color example of Willem Blaeu’s seminal map of Africa, the most influential depiction of the continent produced in the 17th century, and a cornerstone of any collection focussing on the cartography of Africa.
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- Polar - Arctic
Regiones Sub Polo Arctico
- 1644 W. Blaeu signature map of the Arctic
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- Europe
Regno di Napoli.
- Handsome 1640 map of southern Italy with decorative coats-of-arms.
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- Italy
Nova Italiae Delineatio
- Beautiful mid-17th century hand-colored map of Italy and surrounding islands.
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- Asia
Tartaria sive Magni Chami Imperium
- W. Blaeu's decorative map of China.
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- Asia
Asia noviter delineata
- Wonderful 1635 map of Asia with cities and figures.
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- Iceland & Scandinavia
Suecia, Dania, et Norvegia, Regna Europae Septentrionalia
- Attractive mid-17th century map of Scandinavia.
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- British Isles
Anglia Regnum
- Decorative map of England and Wales
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