Antique map of Virginia & Florida by Blaeu W. & J. 1640-43
The item displayed on this page has been sold. However, we have a similar map in stock:
Carolinas and Georgia by Willem Blaeu. 1642-43
Virginiae Partis Australis, Et Floridae Partis ...
[Item number: 25800]
Cartographically, this map forms a marked improvement on the Jodocus Hondius map of 1606, from which this was derived mainly. It also illustrates how engraving styles have moved, becoming more open and florid. The map depicts the two nations' interests, marked by their coat of arms. The French claim, being largely present-day Georgia, rests on the abortive colonial attempts of the 1560s. Blaeu makes no advance here in geography, following Hondius to the letter.
The most significant improvement occurs in the northern half of the map north of Porto Royal. Whereas on the Hondius, the coastline towards C. de Ste. Romano (present-day Cape Fear) veered directly east, Blaeu more correctly takes it northeast, placing the cape closer to its proper position of 34°. This span of coastline is approximately that of present-day South Carolina. This presents a more accurately proportioned Outer Banks Region, radically reduced in size but slightly too far north. Blaeu drew upon the extremely rare DE EYLANDEN ..., by Hessel Gerritsz, c. 1631, for these improvements. The Outer Banks combine the placenames of Gerritsz and Hondius, often using two different ones for the same area, such as C. de Trafalgar and C. ost Feare. This latter name was often applied to present-day Cape Lookout before being used for its present site to the southwest.
Chesapeake Bay was depicted as just a tiny bay on Hondius' map of 1606, as John Smith was yet to explore these waters. The Gerritsz terminated at this point, and only two placenames appeared. Blaeu draws mainly on the Smith map for much of the nomenclature but introduces some English ones from an unknown source. The most important is Newport nesa, Newport News, founded in 1621 and shown here for the first time on a printed map. Also new are Bermouth, Stortingen and Arglas. The two Indian figures from Hondius' map form part of the cartouche on Blaeu's. The winged cherub to the left of the scale provides the only difference between the two known states:
State 1 c.1638: The cherub on the left is without a 'tail'.
State 2 1640: The left-hand cherub now has a 'tail'
(Burden)
Virginiae partis australis, et Floridae partis orientalis ...
Item Number: 4321 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > America > North America
Copper engraving
Size: 28 x 50cm (11 x 20 inches)
Verso text: Latin
Condition: Old coloured, browned along fold, small wormhole.
References: Burden 253 State 2; Van der Krogt 2, 9400:2b.
From: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum sive Atlas novus; in quo tabulae et descriptiones omnium regionum editae a Guiljel: et Ioanne Blaeu. (Van der Krogt 2, 2:201)
Cartographically, this map forms a marked improvement on the Jodocus Hondius map of 1606, from which this was derived mainly. It also illustrates how engraving styles have moved, becoming more open and florid. The map depicts the two nations' interests, marked by their coat of arms. The French claim, being largely present-day Georgia, rests on the abortive colonial attempts of the 1560s. Blaeu makes no advance here in geography, following Hondius to the letter.
The most significant improvement occurs in the northern half of the map north of Porto Royal. Whereas on the Hondius, the coastline towards C. de Ste. Romano (present-day Cape Fear) veered directly east, Blaeu more correctly takes it northeast, placing the cape closer to its proper position of 34°. This span of coastline is approximately that of present-day South Carolina. This presents a more accurately proportioned Outer Banks Region, radically reduced in size but slightly too far north. Blaeu drew upon the extremely rare DE EYLANDEN ..., by Hessel Gerritsz, c. 1631, for these improvements. The Outer Banks combine the placenames of Gerritsz and Hondius, often using two different ones for the same area, such as C. de Trafalgar and C. ost Feare. This latter name was often applied to present-day Cape Lookout before being used for its present site to the southwest.
Chesapeake Bay was depicted as just a tiny bay on Hondius' map of 1606, as John Smith was yet to explore these waters. The Gerritsz terminated at this point, and only two placenames appeared. Blaeu draws mainly on the Smith map for much of the nomenclature but introduces some English ones from an unknown source. The most important is Newport nesa, Newport News, founded in 1621 and shown here for the first time on a printed map. Also new are Bermouth, Stortingen and Arglas. The two Indian figures from Hondius' map form part of the cartouche on Blaeu's. The winged cherub to the left of the scale provides the only difference between the two known states:
State 1 c.1638: The cherub on the left is without a 'tail'.
State 2 1640: The left-hand cherub now has a 'tail'
(Burden)