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Nova Belgica et Anglia Nova
Amsterdam
1642-1665
Size :
46 x 60 cm
Color :
Hand Colored
Condition :
A+
Technique :
Copper engraving
Reference : 702-05
€2,400.00
Description
Very important map by Bleau depicting Dutch and British colonies in Northern America.
Bleau was the first to print a map using Adrien Block's manuscript (1614) as a primary source. It copied Block's naming and was therefore was one of the earliest maps to name the area between Cap Code and Manhattan Nieu Amsterdam, to delineate an insular Manhattan and to include "Manhates" and "Nieu Nederlandt".
According to Burden, Bleau's map differs from Block's chart by several characteristics:
The colony of Nieu Pleimonth is identified. Cape Cod is improved from Block's manuscript by being reconnected to the mainland, the narrow strait have been removed. The coastline between this island and Narragansett Bay, which is clearly recognizable, is not as accurate. Adriaen Block Eylandt leads to the Versche Rivier, or Connecticut River, (Block has traced as far as possible). 'T Lange Eyland is named; however, it is incorrectly placed too far east, applying to what is perhaps Fishers Island. De Groote Bay marks Long Island Sound. The Hudson River is still not named as such, but it is dotted with Dutch settlements, and the failed Fort Nassau is shown here as Fort Orange. On the other hand, it improves the direction of the river. Blaeu separates the sources of the Hudson and Delaware Rivers, which had caused some confusion. Nieu Amsterdam is correctly indicated as a fort at the tip of an island separated to the east by Hellegat, or East River. The shoreline south of Sandy Hook is also showing signs of improvement.
One of the most attractive maps of the 17th century, it is fully embellished by deers, foxes, bears, eagles, rabbits, cranes and turkeys. Beavers, polecats and otters appear on a printed map for the first time. Sailing boats and compass roses appear in the ocean. The title and scale are framed in a decorative cartouches.
There was only one state of this map published in several editions of Theatrum Orbis Terrarum with Latin, German, Dutch or French text. According to Burden and Van der Krogt, the present example appeared in the editions of the Dutch atlas Nieuwe Atlas published between 1642 and 1658 or Grooten Atlas 1665.
Van der Krogt, II, 9310:2 ; Burden 241
BLAEU, Joan
Joan Blaeu (1596-1672) or Johannes Blaeu, was a Dutch cartographer and publisher son of the official cartographer of the Dutch East India Company.
Joan began publishing the Spanish Nuevo Atlas in 1659. Soon after, the name was changed to Atlas Mayor. His famous atlas, which should have contained 12 or 13 volumes for this Spanish edition, was never completed (only 10 volumes), as his printing house was destroyed by fire. Theatrum orbis Terrarum and Atlas Maior are his major works, published in different languages (Latin, French, Dutch, German and Spanish) and editions from 1635 to 1672 (until 1680 for the separate volume editions). His father, Willem Jansz. Blaeu, had gone to Denmark in 1595 to study astronomy with Tycho Brahe. The Blaeu family, with Willem, Joan and his brother Cornelis, is the best known family of cartographers and publishers of the 17th century.
