Old antique sea chart of Arctic North America by J. Van Keulen 1697-1709
"This chart delineates the territory surrounding the North West Passage and entrance to Hudson Bay. Its progenitor is the Joannes van Loon first published in 1666. This is a prime example of the lack of market controls at the time. This version is drawn directly from Hendrick Doncker's chart published in 1678 as it similarly extends further south and eastwards, even the various legends and the two cartouches are the same. Doncker's shop was literally across the road from van Keulen's, and in 1693 the latter would acquire the Doncker business. The charts were clearly prepared in advance of the privilege being granted on the 17 July 1680 as the first state of the chart does not refer to it. This was immediately applied to the plate. Only one example is known of the earlier state. ..." (Burden)
The House of Van Keulen
For more than two centuries, the chart makers firm of Van Keulen was established in the house with the name of “De Gekroonde Lootsman” (The Crowned Pilot). In 1678, the founder of the firm, Johannes I Van Keulen (1634-1689), registered with the Amsterdam booksellers’ guild. He had enlisted the aid of the well-known Mathematical Practitioner Claas Janz Vooght in the preparation of his nautical publications. In 1680 he published the first edition of the Zee-Atlas with 40 charts, all issued for the first time. In the short period of four years, they produced the five volumes of the Nieuwe Groote Ligtende Zee-Fakkel (1681-85). His acquisition of the stock of the bookseller Hendrik Doncker was an essential factor in the development of the firm.
In 1678 a son, Gerard Van Keulen (1678-1726), was born out of Johannes’s first marriage. This son was endowed with talent. He was a skilful engraver and proficient in mathematics and navigational science. Gerard was responsible for establishing the scientific basis of the firm of Van Keulen. In 1714 he was appointed to the office of hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. The Van Keulens remained chart makers to the East India Company until the Company’s liquidation.
With the introductions to the Zee-Fakkel and Zee-Atlas, Gerard van Keulen gave a new impetus to the firm. Unfortunately, he did not live long, dying when he was 49. The business was carried on by his widow Ludwina Konst. Shortly before Gerard’s death, his son Johannes II had entered the bookseller’s guild, and in 1726 he assumed the management of the firm, though his mother retained her financial interests in the business.
Johannes II Van Keulen (1704-1755) is known in particular for his publication in 1753 of a sixth volume of the Zee-Fakkel, the volume containing the charts of the route to the East Indies.
Johannes II had two sons; they joined the firm as partners in 1757. A considerable number of books appeared in the period 1778-1801. New issues of the Zee-Fakkel again saw the light. The firm flourished under different names until 1885.
Pascaarte vande Noorder Zee Custen van America, vande West-Hoeck van Ysland doorde Straet Davis en Hudson, tot aen Terra Neuf.
Item Number: 25935 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > America > North America
Old, antique sea chart of Arctic North America by J. Van Keulen.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Size (not including margins): 50 x 58cm (19.5 x 22.5 inches)
Verso: Blank
Condition: Original coloured, excellent, a few reinforcements to verdigris weaknesses, nice copy.
Condition Rating: A
References: Burden, 515, State 2 (of 4); Koeman, Keu (10); Campbell, Early Maps, p.31, pl.11; Kershaw, 206, pl.2.
From: De Nieuwe Groote Lichtende Zee-Fakkel, ... Amsterdam, J. van Keulen, 1697-1709.
"This chart delineates the territory surrounding the North West Passage and entrance to Hudson Bay. Its progenitor is the Joannes van Loon first published in 1666. This is a prime example of the lack of market controls at the time. This version is drawn directly from Hendrick Doncker's chart published in 1678 as it similarly extends further south and eastwards, even the various legends and the two cartouches are the same. Doncker's shop was literally across the road from van Keulen's, and in 1693 the latter would acquire the Doncker business. The charts were clearly prepared in advance of the privilege being granted on the 17 July 1680 as the first state of the chart does not refer to it. This was immediately applied to the plate. Only one example is known of the earlier state. ..." (Burden)
"This chart delineates the territory surrounding the North West Passage and entrance to Hudson Bay. Its progenitor is the Joannes van Loon first published in 1666. This is a prime example of the lack of market controls at the time. This version is drawn directly from Hendrick Doncker's chart published in 1678 as it similarly extends further south and eastwards, even the various legends and the two cartouches are the same. Doncker's shop was literally across the road from van Keulen's, and in 1693 the latter would acquire the Doncker business. The charts were clearly prepared in advance of the privilege being granted on the 17 July 1680 as the first state of the chart does not refer to it. This was immediately applied to the plate. Only one example is known of the earlier state. ..." (Burden)
The House of Van Keulen
For more than two centuries, the chart makers firm of Van Keulen was established in the house with the name of “De Gekroonde Lootsman” (The Crowned Pilot). In 1678, the founder of the firm, Johannes I Van Keulen (1634-1689), registered with the Amsterdam booksellers’ guild. He had enlisted the aid of the well-known Mathematical Practitioner Claas Janz Vooght in the preparation of his nautical publications. In 1680 he published the first edition of the Zee-Atlas with 40 charts, all issued for the first time. In the short period of four years, they produced the five volumes of the Nieuwe Groote Ligtende Zee-Fakkel (1681-85). His acquisition of the stock of the bookseller Hendrik Doncker was an essential factor in the development of the firm.
In 1678 a son, Gerard Van Keulen (1678-1726), was born out of Johannes’s first marriage. This son was endowed with talent. He was a skilful engraver and proficient in mathematics and navigational science. Gerard was responsible for establishing the scientific basis of the firm of Van Keulen. In 1714 he was appointed to the office of hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. The Van Keulens remained chart makers to the East India Company until the Company’s liquidation.
With the introductions to the Zee-Fakkel and Zee-Atlas, Gerard van Keulen gave a new impetus to the firm. Unfortunately, he did not live long, dying when he was 49. The business was carried on by his widow Ludwina Konst. Shortly before Gerard’s death, his son Johannes II had entered the bookseller’s guild, and in 1726 he assumed the management of the firm, though his mother retained her financial interests in the business.
Johannes II Van Keulen (1704-1755) is known in particular for his publication in 1753 of a sixth volume of the Zee-Fakkel, the volume containing the charts of the route to the East Indies.
Johannes II had two sons; they joined the firm as partners in 1757. A considerable number of books appeared in the period 1778-1801. New issues of the Zee-Fakkel again saw the light. The firm flourished under different names until 1885.