This product is successfully added to your cart
Questions about this product? (#7526)

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.

Worcester and Warwick, by J. Blaeu. 1654-1662

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

Wigorniensis Comitatus et Comitatus Warwicensis; nec non Coventrae Libertas. Worcester, Warwik Shire and the Liberty of Coventre

€420  ($470.4 / £352.8)
add to cart
Buy now
questions?
PRINT

Item Number:  7526 Authenticity Guarantee

Category:  Antique maps > Europe > British Isles

Old, antique map of Worcester and Warwick by J. Blaeu.

Title: Wigorniensis Comitatus et Comitatus Warwicensis; nec non Coventrae Libertas. Worcester, Warwik Shire and the Liberty of Coventre.

Date of the first edition: 1645-46.
Date of this map: 1654-1662.

Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Size (not including margins): 410 x 500mm (16.14 x 19.69 inches).
Verso: Dutch text.
Condition: Old coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A.

From: J. Blaeus Grooten Atlas, oft Werelt- Beschryving, in welcke 't Aerdryck, de Zee, en Hemel, wort vertoont en beschreven. Vierde Stuck der Aerdrycks- Beschryving, welck vervat Engelandt. Amsterdam, J. Blaeu, 1654-62. (Van der Krogt 2, 321)

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 - 5345:2

Related items

Suffolk, by Blaeu J.

Suffolcia Vernacule Suffolke 1662
Suffolk, by Blaeu J.
[Item number: 1394]

€260  ($291.2 / £218.4)
Northampton, by Valk G. & Schenk P.

Comitatus Northantonensis ... c. 1700
Northampton, by Valk G. & Schenk P.
[Item number: 1868]

€300  ($336 / £252)
Huntington, by Valk G. & Schenk P.

Huntingdonensis Comitatus c. 1700
Huntington, by Valk G. & Schenk P.
[Item number: 1874]

€260  ($291.2 / £218.4)
Nottinghamshire by Valk G. & Schenk P.

Comitatus Nottinghamiensis c. 1700
Nottinghamshire by Valk G. & Schenk P.
[Item number: 1925]

€300  ($336 / £252)
Hertfordshire & Middlesex, by Valk G. & Schenk P.

Middelsexiae cum Hertfordiae Comita c. 1700
Hertfordshire & Middlesex, by Valk G. & Schenk P.
[Item number: 1971]

€420  ($470.4 / £352.8)
Stafford, by J. Blaeu.

Staffordiensis Comitatus; vulgo Stafford Shire 1654-1662
Stafford, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 7085]

€350  ($392 / £294)
Radnor, by J. Blaeu.

Radnoria Comitatus Radnor Shire 1654-1662
Radnor, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 7298]

€300  ($336 / £252)
Rutland, by J. Blaeu.

Rutlandia Comitatus. Rutland Shire. 1654-1662
Rutland, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 7506]

€320  ($358.4 / £268.8)
Pembrokeshire and Caermarthen by Joan Blaeu.

Penbrochia Comitatus et Comitatus Caermaridunum 1654-1662
Pembrokeshire and Caermarthen by Joan Blaeu.
[Item number: 8126]

€400  ($448 / £336)
The Fenns by J. Blaeu.

Regiones Inundatae in Finibus Comitatus Norfolciae, Suffolciae, Cantabrigiae, Huntingtoniae, Northamtoniae, et Lincolniae. 1654-1662
The Fenns by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 8146]

€380  ($425.6 / £319.2)
Northampton by J. Janssonius

Comitatus Northantonensis vernacule Northampton Shire 1647
Northampton by J. Janssonius
[Item number: 8167]

€340  ($380.8 / £285.6)
Yorkshire (West), by Blaeu J.

Ducatus Eboracensis Pars Occidentalis; the Westriding of Yorke Shire 1662
Yorkshire (West), by Blaeu J.
[Item number: 12995]

€460  ($515.2 / £386.4)
Nottinghamshire, by J. Janssonius.

Comitatus Nottinghamiensis Sive Nottinghamshire 1658
Nottinghamshire, by J. Janssonius.
[Item number: 13948]

€300  ($336 / £252)
Surrey by Joan Blaeu.

Surria vernacule Surrey 1662
Surrey by Joan Blaeu.
[Item number: 22812]

€500  ($560 / £420)
Essex, by J. Blaeu.

Essexia Comitatus. 1662
Essex, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 25247]

€400  ($448 / £336)
Berkshire, by J. Blaeu.

Bercheria vernacule Barkshire. 1662
Berkshire, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 25249]

€320  ($358.4 / £268.8)
Devon, by J. Blaeu.

Devonia vulgo Devon-Shire. 1662
Devon, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 25250]

€300  ($336 / £252)
Leicester, by J. Blaeu.

Leicestrensis Comitatus. Leicester Shire. 1662
Leicester, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 25251]

€300  ($336 / £252)
Somerset, by J. Blaeu.

Somersettensis Comitatus - Somerset Shire. 1662
Somerset, by J. Blaeu.
[Item number: 25252]

€350  ($392 / £294)
Cornwall by Joan Blaeu.

Cornubia sive Cornwallia. 1645
Cornwall by Joan Blaeu.
[Item number: 25748]

€650  ($728 / £546)