A finely engraved map of the territories of Angeln and Schwansen in the historic Duchy of Schleswig, now part of Schleswig-Holstein in northern Germany. Surveyed and drawn by the distinguished Schleswig cartographer Johannes Meyer (1606–1674), the map was originally dated 1649 and subsequently published by Joan Blaeu in his monumental Atlas Maior in Amsterdam in 1664.

The map depicts the two peninsulas situated between the Flensburg Fjord, the Schlei inlet and the Baltic Sea, extending westwards into the neighbouring districts of central Schleswig. It provides a remarkably detailed representation of the region's seventeenth-century topography, identifying numerous towns, villages, estates, churches, rivers, lakes, roads and woodland areas. Among the principal settlements shown are Flensburg, Schleswig, Kappeln and Eckernförde. The intricate network of waterways and the distinctive coastline are carefully delineated, while forests and cultivated landscapes are represented by delicately engraved pictorial symbols.

The map is particularly notable for its elaborate decorative elements. The magnificent title cartouche in the upper right is surmounted by figures in contemporary costume, military trophies and colourful ornamental foliage. Beneath the title is an extensive dedication by Johannes Meyer to Heinrich Brockdorff and Nicolaus von Allfeldt, prominent members of the Schleswig-Holstein nobility. A richly ornamented scale cartouche occupies the upper left corner, while the lower right features a lively depiction of a mounted figure emerging from the sea and holding a trident, alluding to the region's maritime character. The Baltic Sea is embellished with elegant calligraphic lettering.

The map was engraved by the Husum goldsmiths and engravers Matthias and Claus Petersen, whose work contributed significantly to the cartographic representation of Schleswig-Holstein during the seventeenth century.

Johannes Meyer, often regarded as one of the most important early cartographers of Schleswig-Holstein, devoted much of his career to surveying and mapping the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein. His detailed regional maps, based on extensive local observations and surveys, became fundamental sources for the historical geography of northern Germany. Many of his maps were incorporated into Joan Blaeu's celebrated atlases, thereby reaching a much wider European audience.

An attractive and historically important map, combining Johannes Meyer's exceptional topographical detail with the decorative elegance characteristic of the finest productions of the Blaeu publishing house.

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 mapmaker. 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.

A fire ruined the business on February 23, 1672, and one year later, Dr. Joan Blaeu died. The fire and the director's passing caused the complete sale of the Blaeu House's stock. 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 remained 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 family as a printing house of world renown.