Vintage Terrarum Orbis Tabula Map by W. Blaeu 1974 Scandecor Poster Printed in
Germany * Makes great Art! Such exquisite artistry. I know the listing is
overkill-but art should be celebrated. Extraordinary colors and so crisp
considering the tools of yesteryear.
Measurements are approx: 26 3/4 inches top to bottom and 35 1/4 inches left to
right. Perfectly intact and only unrolled for photographs. May not have seen
the light of day since 1974!
A classic single-sheet world map on Mercator's projection, first issued by
Willem Blaeu in 1606. It remained in circulation for 50 years and is
celebrated as one of the supreme examples of the map maker's art’ (Shirley).
This is the 4th state with ‘Terra del Fuego’ now an island, ‘Fretum le Maire’
added and the title now concludes ‘auct: Guiljelmo Blaeuw.’
Willem Blaeu. Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula.
Amsterdam: [1635]. Original map, fourth state. Blaeu's name Guilj. Blaeuw in
the right cartouche along the bottom edge. Single sheet, two pages (18.75 x
22.375 inches; 477 x 570 mm.). Hand-colored, Roman type on verso. Three
cartouches and two polar insets. Decorative boarder, vertical edges with
allegorical figures, four elements on the left and four seasons on the right,
horizontal edges with views of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World on the
bottom and the gods associated with the sun, moon and planets from Mercury to
Saturn on the top. Paper repair to the bottom margin along the centerfold;
centerfold creased; some marginal soiling with a couple small and very faint
tidemarks along the bottom edge. Very good, presents nicely Amap of the world
surrounded by vignettes of planets, the elements, the seasons, and the seven
wonders of the ancient world, all with original hand-colored in full.
A LANDMARK MAP OF THE WORLD BY THE MOST CELEBRATED MAPMAKER OF THE 17TH CENTURY
Using Mercator's projection and first issued in 1606, this fine map remained
in active circulation, for over 50 years. It is celebrated as one of the
supreme examples of the mapmaker's art and in this issue, the fourth, was
published in his "Atlas" from 1630 onwards. Showing both "Beach" and New Guinea
as peninsulas of the great south land Terra Australis.
The most striking characteristics of Blaeu's map are the superb border
decorations. Along the top are allegorical representations of the sun and moon
and the five known planets, while each side has four panels illustrating the
elements and the four seasons, and along the bottom are seven vignettes showing
the seven wonders of the ancient world. Blaeu maps are immediately recognizable
by the beauty of their ornamentation. Whereas 16th century publishers had
decorated their maps with strapwork designs in black and white, Blaeu's maps
were embellished with decorative swags, symbols, coats of arms, city views and
large pictorial cartouches, and were handcolored in the Baroque taste.
As official cartographer to the Dutch East India Company, Blaeu had access to
information regarding geographical discoveries that was unavailable to any of
his competitors. Blaeu published his first world atlas, the "Atlantis
Appendix", with 60 maps in 1630, and continued to produce new maps at such a
rate that by 1634, he abandoned the single volume format and announced his
intention to publish a new world atlas, entitled the "Theatrum", which became
the most monumental cartographic publication of the 17th century. The acclaim
that Blaeu's maps receive is based upon their extremely high production
standards and geographical sophistication. The splendid side decoration is one
of Blaeu's most recognizable decorative flourishes, and the quality of the
engraving, the paper, and coloring are of the highest order, placing Blaeu's
work at the forefront of seventeenth-century cartography. The maps are
embellished in the Baroque style, and many - especially the world map, the
centerpiece of the atlas - rank among the most beautiful ever made.
“Excellent Vintage Pre-owned condition. Please see all photographs and listing descriptions for an accurate view.”: “Excellent Vintage Pre-owned condition. Please see all photographs and listing descriptions for an accurate view.” |