This product is successfully added to your cart
Questions about this product? (#29021)

Authenticity Guarantee
All items are guaranteed authentic prints (woodcuts or engravings) or manuscripts made at or about (c.) the given date and in good condition unless stated otherwise. We don’t sell facsimiles or reproductions. We deliver every map with a Certificate of Authenticity containing all the details.

Very decorative map in excellent condition.
Bejing by Joan Blaeu. 1655-1659

The Blaeus: Willem Janszoon, Cornelis & Joan

Willem Jansz. Blaeu and his son Joan Blaeu are the seventeenth century's most widely known cartographic publishers.

Willem Jansz. (also written Guilielmus Janssonius) = Willem Janszoon Blaeu was born in Uitgeest (Netherlands), near Alkmaar, in 1571. He studied mathematics under Tycho Brahe and learned the theory and practice of astronomical observations and the art of instrument- and globe-making.

In 1596, he came to Amsterdam, where he settled down as a globe-, instrument- and map-maker. He published his first cartographic work (a globe) in 1599 and probably published his first printed map (a map of the Netherlands) in 1604. He specialised in maritime cartography, published the first edition of the pilot guide Het Licht der Zeevaert in 1608, and was appointed Hydrographer of the V.O.C. (United East India Company) in 1633. After publishing books, wall maps, globes, charts and pilot guides for thirty years, he brought out his first atlas, Atlas Appendix (1630). This was the beginning of the great tradition of atlas-making by the Blaeus.

In 1618, another mapmaker, bookseller and publisher, Johannes Janssonius, established himself in Amsterdam next door to Blaeu's shop. No wonder these two neighbours began accusing each other of copying and stealing their information and became fierce competitors who did not have a good word to say about each other. In about 1621 Willem Jansz. decided to end the confusion between his name and his competitor's and assumed his grandfather's nickname, 'blauwe Willem' ('blue Willem'), as the family name; after that, he called himself Willem Jansz. Blaeu.

Willem Janszoon Blaeu died in 1638, leaving his prospering business to his sons, Cornelis and Joan. We only know that Cornelis's name occurs in the prefaces of books and atlases until c. 1645.

Joan Blaeu, born in Amsterdam in 1596, became a partner in his father’s book trade and printing business. 1638, he was appointed his father’s successor in the Hydrographic Office of the V.O.C. His efforts culminated in the magnificent Atlas Major and the town books of the Netherlands and Italy – works unsurpassed in history and modern times, giving eternal fame to the name of the Blaeu's.

On February 23, 1672, a fire ruined the business. One year later, Dr Joan Blaeu died. The fire of 1672 and the passing away of the director gave rise to a complete sale of the stock of the Blaeu House. Five public auctions dispersed the remaining books, atlases, copperplates, globes, etc., among many other map dealers and publishers in Amsterdam. The majority was acquired by several booksellers acting in partnership.

In the succeeding years, the remaining printing department was left in the hands of the Blaeu family until 1695, when the printing house's inventory was sold at a public auction. That meant the end of the Blaeu's as a printing house of world renown.

back

Pecheli, sive Peking Imperii Sinarum Provincia Prima.

€2850  ($3192 / £2394)
add to cart
Buy now
questions?
PRINT

Item Number:  29021 Authenticity Guarantee

Category:  Antique maps > Asia > China

Old, antique map of China - Bejing, by Joan Blaeu.

Title: Pecheli, sive Peking Imperii Sinarum Provincia Prima.

Cartographer: Martini Martino SJ (1614-1661).

Date of the first edition: 1655.
Date of this map: 1655-1659.

Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Map size: 400 x 490mm (15.75 x 19.29 inches).
Sheet size: 515 x 650mm (20.28 x 25.59 inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.

From: Novus Atlas Sinensis a Martino Martinio Soc. Iesu Descriptus ..., Amsterdam, 1655.

Based on the cartographic compilations of the Jesuit missionary Martino Martini.

The Blaeus: Willem Janszoon, Cornelis & Joan

Willem Jansz. Blaeu and his son Joan Blaeu are the seventeenth century's most widely known cartographic publishers.

Willem Jansz. (also written Guilielmus Janssonius) = Willem Janszoon Blaeu was born in Uitgeest (Netherlands), near Alkmaar, in 1571. He studied mathematics under Tycho Brahe and learned the theory and practice of astronomical observations and the art of instrument- and globe-making.

In 1596, he came to Amsterdam, where he settled down as a globe-, instrument- and map-maker. He published his first cartographic work (a globe) in 1599 and probably published his first printed map (a map of the Netherlands) in 1604. He specialised in maritime cartography, published the first edition of the pilot guide Het Licht der Zeevaert in 1608, and was appointed Hydrographer of the V.O.C. (United East India Company) in 1633. After publishing books, wall maps, globes, charts and pilot guides for thirty years, he brought out his first atlas, Atlas Appendix (1630). This was the beginning of the great tradition of atlas-making by the Blaeus.

In 1618, another mapmaker, bookseller and publisher, Johannes Janssonius, established himself in Amsterdam next door to Blaeu's shop. No wonder these two neighbours began accusing each other of copying and stealing their information and became fierce competitors who did not have a good word to say about each other. In about 1621 Willem Jansz. decided to end the confusion between his name and his competitor's and assumed his grandfather's nickname, 'blauwe Willem' ('blue Willem'), as the family name; after that, he called himself Willem Jansz. Blaeu.

Willem Janszoon Blaeu died in 1638, leaving his prospering business to his sons, Cornelis and Joan. We only know that Cornelis's name occurs in the prefaces of books and atlases until c. 1645.

Joan Blaeu, born in Amsterdam in 1596, became a partner in his father’s book trade and printing business. 1638, he was appointed his father’s successor in the Hydrographic Office of the V.O.C. His efforts culminated in the magnificent Atlas Major and the town books of the Netherlands and Italy – works unsurpassed in history and modern times, giving eternal fame to the name of the Blaeu's.

On February 23, 1672, a fire ruined the business. One year later, Dr Joan Blaeu died. The fire of 1672 and the passing away of the director gave rise to a complete sale of the stock of the Blaeu House. Five public auctions dispersed the remaining books, atlases, copperplates, globes, etc., among many other map dealers and publishers in Amsterdam. The majority was acquired by several booksellers acting in partnership.

In the succeeding years, the remaining printing department was left in the hands of the Blaeu family until 1695, when the printing house's inventory was sold at a public auction. That meant the end of the Blaeu's as a printing house of world renown.

References: Van der Krogt 2 - 8421:2

Related items

China with Japan, Korea and Taiwan, by J. Janssonius.

Imperii Sinarum Nova Descriptio. c. 1680.
China with Japan, Korea and Taiwan, by J. Janssonius.
[Item number: 2618]

€1150  ($1288 / £966)
Northeastern China, by Valk G. & Schenk P.

Pecheli, Xansi, Xantung, Honan, Nanking, In plaga Regni Sinensis in ter Septentrionem ac OrientemCeciam versus sitae Provinciae. c. 1700
Northeastern China, by Valk G. & Schenk P.
[Item number: 2694]

€900  ($1008 / £756)
China, by Robert de Vaugondy.

L'Empire de la Chine Dresse d'apres les Cartes de l'Atlas Chinois ... c. 1757
China, by Robert de Vaugondy.
[Item number: 5093]

€650  ($728 / £546)
China, Korea and Japan by J. Hondius.

With Korea as an island.
China 1619
China, Korea and Japan by J. Hondius.
[Item number: 6494]

€2600  ($2912 / £2184)
Eastern China, by Valk and Schenk.

Huquang, Kiangsi, Che Kiang, ac Fokien. Provin: sivae praefecturae Regni Sinen:s, versus Vulturnum, in plaga inter Orientem ac Meridiem media, sitae. c. 1700
Eastern China, by Valk and Schenk.
[Item number: 8453]

€600  ($672 / £504)
Hukuang (China), by J. Blaeu.

Huquang, Imperii Sinarum Provincia Septima. 1655-1659
Hukuang (China), by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 26359]

€550  ($616 / £462)
Kuang-hsi (China), by J. Blaeu.

Quangsi, Sinarum Imperii Provincia Decimatertia. 1655-1659
Kuang-hsi (China), by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 26361]

€550  ($616 / £462)
China - Shan-hsi (Shensi), by J. Blaeu.

Xensi, Imperii Sinarum Provincia Tertia. 1655-1659
China - Shan-hsi (Shensi), by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 26421]

€550  ($616 / £462)
China - Honan, by J. Blaeu.

Honan, Imperii Sinarum Provincia Quinta. 1655-1659
China - Honan, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 26423]

€500  ($560 / £420)
Tianjin (Tientsin - China),  by Petrus Schenk.

Kuchin een Sineesche stadt in het lantschap Peking, aen de rivier Guci, de gemeene vryplaets des vluchtelingen van Sina en Korea = Kuchin Urbs regionis Peking, ... 1702
Tianjin (Tientsin - China), by Petrus Schenk.
[Item number: 26659]

€350  ($392 / £294)