Brazil
Bleau, Johannes.
"Die Landstschafft Brasilien" "
Brasilia..." Amsterdam: Johannem Blaeu. 1647
Copper engraved map of Brazil from Johannes Blaeu's "
Nouvus Atlas Das ist Welt-berschreibung.."Vol 2 . Coloured; German text to verso.
Oriented with west at the top this is Blaeu's second map of Brazil; many details around the coast, whilst the interior is mainly empty with a few conjectural features.
Decorative title cartouche and scale in each corner; compass roses and ships to sea . Generally a good impression with, probably, later hand colour; short split to lower centre fold [approx 7mm] repaired with archival tape to verso; a couple of spots to blank margins.
Willem Janszoon Blaeu [1571- 1668] had set up the business in Amsterdam 1596 following studies with the famous astonomer Tycho Brahe.
In 1630 Willhem published his first atlas "
Atlas Appendix", having published maritime cartography, books, charts and pilot guides for previous thirty years.
Appointed Hydrographer of the V. O. C. ( United East India Company)in 1633 he died in 1638. leaving the company to his sons Joan and Cornelius
Of Cornelius little is know; his name appearing on in the prefaces of books and atlases only until c1645.
Dr Joan Blaeu [ 1596-1673] who had studied at Leiden took over the management of the business and established its fame. He was also appointed Hydrographer to the V. O. C. ( 1638), but his interests leant more to geography than maritime cartography. His aim was" a full description of heaven, earth and water" ( Koeman) which was unachievable. but his work produced the magnificent "
Atlas Major" and the Town books of the Netherlands and Italy; works unsurpassed in history and modern times.
The "
Theatrum Orbis Terrarum " or "
Atlas Novus" Willem Blaeu's great project enlarging the
"Appendix" was advertised in 1634, was first published in a preliminary edition in 1635. (preface dated 10-3-1634) two volumes.
The final edition comprising again two volumes with 109 & 99 maps respectively with German text also published 1635; an edition with Dutch text, (preface dated 22-4-1635) 104 & 103 maps; French text( preface dated 1-7-1635) 105 & 103 maps; and with Latin text (preface dated "ipsis Aprillis")105 & 102 maps.
Koeman:Bl 34: O [12]. 386 by 492mm (15¼ by 19¼ inches).
ref: 2530
€800