This product is successfully added to your cart
Questions about this product? (#29420)

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.

Antwerp (Antwerpen), by Joan Blaeu. 1652

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

Antverpia; Gallis Anvers. Vernacule Antwerpen.

€1800  ($1962 / £1512)
add to cart
Buy now
questions?
PRINT

Item Number:  29420 Authenticity Guarantee

Category:  Antique maps > Europe > Belgium - Cities

Old, antique bird’s-eye view plan of Antwerp (Antwerpen), by Joan Blaeu.

Title: Antverpia; Gallis Anvers. Vernacule Antwerpen.

Oriented to the west.

Date of the first edition: 1649.
Date of this map: 1652.

Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Map size: 420 x 535mm (16.54 x 21.06 inches).
Sheet size: 545 x 645mm (21.46 x 25.39 inches).
Verso: Dutch text.
Condition: Original coloured, water stain in margins.
Condition Rating: A+.

From: Toonneel der Steden van 's Konings Nederlanden. Amsterdam, J. Blaeu, 1652. (Van der Krogt 4, 43:121.2)

The plan shows the situation 1640-46 with the ship bridge over the Schelde. The polders in the north were reclaimed, which was in 1651.

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 4 - #185 state 2; Fauser - #550

Related items

Antwerp (Antwerpen), by Lodovico Guicciardini.

Hantwerpen. 1616
Antwerp (Antwerpen), by Lodovico Guicciardini.
[Item number: 224]

€300  ($327 / £252)
Antwerpen - Carmelieten by Antonius Sanderus.

Carmelus Antverpiensis. 1726
Antwerpen - Carmelieten by Antonius Sanderus.
[Item number: 2793]

€250  ($272.5 / £210)
Antwerpen - Minderbroeders, by Antonius Sanderus.

Mons Omnium Sanctorum sive Conventus Antverpiensis Fratrum Minor. 1726
Antwerpen - Minderbroeders, by Antonius Sanderus.
[Item number: 3560]

€250  ($272.5 / £210)
Antwerpen by D. Fassmann

Antwerpen. 1726
Antwerpen by D. Fassmann
[Item number: 5946]

€320  ($348.8 / £268.8)
Hanse (Antwerp), by Lodovico Guicciardini.

Domus Hansae Teutonicae - Sacri Romani Imperi. 1612
Hanse (Antwerp), by Lodovico Guicciardini.
[Item number: 18160]

€180  ($196.2 / £151.2)
Beurs (Antwerp) by Lodovico Guicciardini.

BURSA 1582
Beurs (Antwerp) by Lodovico Guicciardini.
[Item number: 18161]

€160  ($174.4 / £134.4)
Antwerp (Antwerpen) by C. Merian.

Printed from two plates, joint as published. 1659
Antwerp (Antwerpen) by C. Merian.
[Item number: 20256]

€400  ($436 / £336)
Antwerpen Eiermarkt by Granello L.

Vue du Marché aux oeufs, à Anvers - View of the egg Market at Antwerp. c. 1846
Antwerpen Eiermarkt by Granello L.
[Item number: 21811]

€250  ($272.5 / £210)
Antwerp Cathedral (Antwerpen Kathedraal), by Granello L.

Antwerp Cathedral - Cathédrale d'Anvers c. 1846
Antwerp Cathedral (Antwerpen Kathedraal), by Granello L.
[Item number: 21821]

€250  ($272.5 / £210)
Antwerpen Groenplaats by Granello L.

Vue de la Place Verte à Anvers. - View of the Place Verte at Antwerp. c. 1846
Antwerpen Groenplaats by Granello L.
[Item number: 21826]

€300  ($327 / £252)
Antwerpen by Eugène Fricx.

Plan de la ville et citadelle d'Anvers. 1712
Antwerpen by Eugène Fricx.
[Item number: 29541]

€500  ($545 / £420)
The invasion of François-Hercule de Valois with French troops in Antwerp (French Fury), 7 January 1583, by Frans Hogenberg.

Wie die Françosen so die Statt Antorf erobern und berauben wultten. 1583-1612
The invasion of François-Hercule de Valois with French troops in Antwerp (French Fury), 7 January 1583, by Frans Hogenberg.
[Item number: 29941]

€170  ($185.3 / £142.8)
Antwerp (Antwerpen), by Petrus Kaerius.

Marchionatus Sacri Romani Imperii. 1617
Antwerp (Antwerpen), by Petrus Kaerius.
[Item number: 30101]

€1250  ($1362.5 / £1050)
Antwerp Cathedral, large lithograph.

Rare
Antwerp Cathedral c. 1850
Antwerp Cathedral, large lithograph.
[Item number: 30799]  new

€400  ($436 / £336)