| Reference number: |
MAP E 1 (2010.0117.01)
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| Order number: |
MAP E 1 (2010.0117.01)
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| Summary: |
A topographical map of Africa drawn in carte-de-figures style, with vignettes on 3 sides. The upper row contains the "bird's eye" views of nine African cities. From the left to the right these are: Tanger, Seouta, Algiers, Tunisia, Alexandria, Cairo, Mozambique, Canaria. On two sides of the map there are 5 miniatures, which depict men and women of ten African nationalities. Only coastal towns are named on the Cape, with the printing covering much of the Unknown territory. Decorated with elephants, monkeys, ostriches, gazelles, lions, cheetahs and camels on the land areas, numerous sailing ships, sea monsters, flying fish, and a compass rose ion the sea.
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| Main author: |
Blaeu; Willem Janszoon (1571-1638); cartographer
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| Previous numbers: |
SOASAW 2010.0117.01
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| Extent: |
1 piece
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| Admin history: |
Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-12 October 1638), a Dutch cartographer, was born in Alkmaar and died in Amsterdam. He studied astronomy and cartography. Between 1594 and 1596 he qualified as an instrument and globe maker and in 1599, founded one of history's greatest cartographic publishing firms. By 1608, he had already published a fine world map and a popular marine atlas. He then began planning a major atlas intended to include the most up-to-date maps of the entire world, but the atlas was not completed until well after his death. In 1633, he was appointed Hydrographer of the Dutch East India Company and established his reputation within the highly competitive field of Dutch mapmakers. In 1635, he published Atlas Novus (a comprehensive world atlas, conceived by Blaeu). When he died, the business passed to his sons, Joan and Cornelis, who continued and expanded their father's ambitious plans. After the death of Cornelis in 1644, Joan continued the business alone and established his own reputation as a great mapmaker. Joan completed his father grand project in 1655 with the sixth and final volume of the Atlas Novus. As soon as it was finished Joan began the preparation of an even larger work, the Atlas Major, which reached publication in 1662 in twelve lavish volumes. The Atlas Major was the most expensive printed book of the seventeenth century, consisting of nearly 600 double-page maps and 3,000 pages of text. The maps were richly embellished, often hand-colored and heightened with gold, and epitomized the style and quality of the period, which has become known as the 'Golden Age' of cartography. In 1672 a fire destroyed Blaeu's printing house in the Gravenstraat, and a year later Joan Blaeu died. The demise of the House of Blaeu brought an end to the Dutch domination of cartography. |
Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-12 October 1638), a Dutch cartographer, was born in Alkmaar and died in Amsterdam. He studied astronomy and cartography. Between 1594 and 1596 he qualified as an instrument and globe maker and in 1599, founded one of history's greatest cartographic publishing firms. By 1608, he had already published a fine world map and a popular marine atlas. He then began planning a major atlas intended to include the most up-to-date maps of the entire world, but the atlas was not completed until well after his death. In 163 ... View more |
| Custodial history: |
Displayed in the Staff Common Room, College Building, as of 2010. Subsequently part of Brunei Gallery collection. Removed from frame by Brunei Gallery team prior to transfer to Library, October 2019. Newspaper found in frame indicates map may have been framed in 1950. |
| Acquisition: |
Transferred from Brunei Gallery Collections, October 2019
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| Access status: |
Open
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| Language: |
Latin
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| Scripts: |
Latin
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| Physical description: |
Copper-engraved map, hand-coloured in outline & wash, 500 x 580 mm
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| Format: |
Archive
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