A magnificent, exceptionally detailed seventeenth-century map of the North Frisian coastal region of Schleswig-Holstein, depicting the territories of Husum, Lundenberg, Nordstrand, and Nordergosharde. Surveyed by the distinguished cartographer Johannes Meyer (1606–1674), engraved by the brothers Matthias and Nikolaus Peters of Husum, and published by Joan Blaeu in the first Latin edition of his monumental Atlas Maior in 1662.

The map covers the North Sea coast of western Schleswig, extending from the town of Husum and the surrounding mainland districts westwards across the intricate network of tidal channels, sandbanks and islands of the Wadden Sea. It provides a remarkably detailed representation of the region's geography in the mid-seventeenth century, including numerous villages, churches, farms, roads, dikes, drainage channels and administrative boundaries.

Of particular historical importance is the representation of the island of Nordstrand following the catastrophic Burchardi Flood of 1634. This devastating storm surge, one of the worst natural disasters in the history of the North Frisian coast, destroyed much of the former island of Strand, inundating extensive areas of agricultural land and causing thousands of deaths. The surviving fragments of the island, together with the surrounding tidal channels and newly formed sandbanks, are carefully delineated on Meyer's map.

The map shows the remaining portions of Nordstrand and Pellworm, separated by broad tidal channels and surrounded by numerous smaller islands and shoals. The complex pattern of waterways and submerged lands illustrates the profound geographical changes brought about by the flood. Particularly striking is the contrast between the densely settled surviving islands and the extensive tidal flats that had formerly constituted inhabited and cultivated territory.

On the mainland, the town of Husum and the surrounding districts of Nordergosharde and Südergosharde are represented in considerable detail. Numerous settlements, churches, roads and administrative divisions are meticulously recorded, providing an invaluable picture of the region's historical topography and settlement patterns.

The maritime areas are enlivened by several sailing vessels and a finely engraved compass rose. The elaborate title cartouche in the upper right is decorated with colourful scrollwork and suspended garlands of fruit and foliage. Beneath the title appears a Latin dedication by Johannes Meyer. The combination of precise topographical detail and rich decorative engraving is characteristic of the finest Dutch cartography of the seventeenth century.

Johannes Meyer, also known as Johannes Mejer, was one of the most accomplished regional cartographers of seventeenth-century northern Europe. Born in Husum, he devoted much of his career to systematically surveying Schleswig and Holstein. His work is especially valuable for its detailed documentation of the rapidly changing North Frisian coastline.

Meyer's surveys formed the cartographic basis for Caspar Danckwerth's celebrated Newe Landesbeschreibung der zwey Hertzogthümer Schleswich und Holstein, published in 1652. Many of these maps were subsequently incorporated into Joan Blaeu's prestigious Atlas Maior, one of the most ambitious and lavishly produced atlases of the seventeenth century.

This beautiful example, published in Amsterdam in 1662, is not only an outstanding specimen of seventeenth-century regional cartography but also an important historical document recording the transformation of the North Frisian landscape following the great flood of 1634.

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.