Joannes van Keulen, Allegoric title page - frontispiece to part IV of the Zee-Fakkel 1715
Although Gerard van Keulen published this atlas, it still bears the name of Joannes van Keulen.
The frontispiece to part IV of the Zee-fakkel has a striking female figure personifying Navigation. She is serene but unsmiling, seated in her shell sea-chariot drawn by two plunging horses. Navigation has a large armillary sphere as her head-dress and, in one hand, holds her symbolic rudder; in the other, a large flaming sea-torch (the light of navigation), again reminding the viewer of the atlas title.
The House of Van Keulen
For more than two centuries, the chart makers firm of Van Keulen was established in the house with the name of “De Gekroonde Lootsman” (The Crowned Pilot). In 1678, the founder of the firm, Johannes I Van Keulen (1634-1689), registered with the Amsterdam booksellers’ guild. He had enlisted the aid of the well-known Mathematical Practitioner Claas Janz Vooght in the preparation of his nautical publications. In 1680 he published the first edition of the Zee-Atlas with 40 charts, all issued for the first time. In the short period of four years, they produced the five volumes of the Nieuwe Groote Ligtende Zee-Fakkel (1681-85). His acquisition of the stock of the bookseller Hendrik Doncker was an essential factor in the development of the firm.
In 1678 a son, Gerard Van Keulen (1678-1726), was born out of Johannes’s first marriage. This son was endowed with talent. He was a skilful engraver and proficient in mathematics and navigational science. Gerard was responsible for establishing the scientific basis of the firm of Van Keulen. In 1714 he was appointed to the office of hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. The Van Keulens remained chart makers to the East India Company until the Company’s liquidation.
With the introductions to the Zee-Fakkel and Zee-Atlas, Gerard van Keulen gave a new impetus to the firm. Unfortunately, he did not live long, dying when he was 49. The business was carried on by his widow Ludwina Konst. Shortly before Gerard’s death, his son Johannes II had entered the bookseller’s guild, and in 1726 he assumed the management of the firm, though his mother retained her financial interests in the business.
Johannes II Van Keulen (1704-1755) is known in particular for his publication in 1753 of a sixth volume of the Zee-Fakkel, the volume containing the charts of the route to the East Indies.
Johannes II had two sons; they joined the firm as partners in 1757. A considerable number of books appeared in the period 1778-1801. New issues of the Zee-Fakkel again saw the light. The firm flourished under different names until 1885.
No title
Item Number: 32607 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Title Pages
Allegoric title page - frontispiece to part IV of the Zee-Fakkel, by Joannes van Keulen.
No title
Imprimé à Amsterdam, par Jean van Ceulen Marchand Libraire de Cartes Marines
Ou Hijdrografique, de Arbalestrille & d' Instruments, pour La Navigation, Demeurant à L'Oriant du Pon Neuf au Pilote Couronné, L' 1715.
Avec Privilege pour 15 Années.
Designer: Jan Luyken.
Engraver: Jan Luyken.
Date of the first edition: 1684.
Date of this map: 1715.
Date on map: 1709.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 395 x 255mm (15½ x 10 inches).
Sheet size: 545 x 310mm (21½ x 12¼ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, some dust-soiling.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: Le Nouveau & Grand Illuminant Flambeau de la Mer. La Qiatrième Partie. ... Amsterdam, J. van Keulen, 1715. (Koeman IV, p. 354, Keu 119)
Although Gerard van Keulen published this atlas, it still bears the name of Joannes van Keulen.
The frontispiece to part IV of the Zee-fakkel has a striking female figure personifying Navigation. She is serene but unsmiling, seated in her shell sea-chariot drawn by two plunging horses. Navigation has a large armillary sphere as her head-dress and, in one hand, holds her symbolic rudder; in the other, a large flaming sea-torch (the light of navigation), again reminding the viewer of the atlas title.
The House of Van Keulen
For more than two centuries, the chart makers firm of Van Keulen was established in the house with the name of “De Gekroonde Lootsman” (The Crowned Pilot). In 1678, the founder of the firm, Johannes I Van Keulen (1634-1689), registered with the Amsterdam booksellers’ guild. He had enlisted the aid of the well-known Mathematical Practitioner Claas Janz Vooght in the preparation of his nautical publications. In 1680 he published the first edition of the Zee-Atlas with 40 charts, all issued for the first time. In the short period of four years, they produced the five volumes of the Nieuwe Groote Ligtende Zee-Fakkel (1681-85). His acquisition of the stock of the bookseller Hendrik Doncker was an essential factor in the development of the firm.
In 1678 a son, Gerard Van Keulen (1678-1726), was born out of Johannes’s first marriage. This son was endowed with talent. He was a skilful engraver and proficient in mathematics and navigational science. Gerard was responsible for establishing the scientific basis of the firm of Van Keulen. In 1714 he was appointed to the office of hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. The Van Keulens remained chart makers to the East India Company until the Company’s liquidation.
With the introductions to the Zee-Fakkel and Zee-Atlas, Gerard van Keulen gave a new impetus to the firm. Unfortunately, he did not live long, dying when he was 49. The business was carried on by his widow Ludwina Konst. Shortly before Gerard’s death, his son Johannes II had entered the bookseller’s guild, and in 1726 he assumed the management of the firm, though his mother retained her financial interests in the business.
Johannes II Van Keulen (1704-1755) is known in particular for his publication in 1753 of a sixth volume of the Zee-Fakkel, the volume containing the charts of the route to the East Indies.
Johannes II had two sons; they joined the firm as partners in 1757. A considerable number of books appeared in the period 1778-1801. New issues of the Zee-Fakkel again saw the light. The firm flourished under different names until 1885.