A uniform set of frontispieces for the Zeefakkel. Excellent condition
Allegoric title pages of van Keulen's Zeefakkel. 1709
Although Gerard van Keulen published this atlas, it still bears the name of Joannes van Keulen. (Koeman IV, p. 317)
Frontispices:
General frontispice, also used for the Zee-atlas: The coronation of the sea-god Neptune, who is standing behind a large celestial sphere with a trident in one hand and a pair of dividers in the other. Around the sphere are six female figures. One is placing a fine crown on his head, composed of the decorative sterns of six galleons; the others represent the continents, with perhaps the two figures on the right, with feathered headpieces, representing North and South America separately. Europe wears a crucifix, is accompanied by her mentor bull, and is studying a sea atlas which is open at a chart of the English Channel. To the left, Asia is accompanied by a lion and a lioness and Africa by a parrot.
In the skies above Neptune's head is a most unusual feature - Aeolus, the god of winds, sits astride a large inflated bladder or sack, steered by control of its narrow orifice. Perhaps the first (unintentional) demonstration of jet-engined propulsion!
Part 1: A tall, graceful female figure holds a globe, illuminated by a torch in her other hand. With dark stormy clouds in the background, the same torch lights up a group of creatures of the deep: Mercury with his caduceus and winged helmet astride a huge sea-serpent; a mermaid with an anchor; a figure with a mirror (an emblem of Truth); and another blowing a sea-horn.
These all combine, as intended, to reassure buyers that the charts in Van Keulen's atlases will safely bring the sailor and his ship through all the perils of the seas and into their hoped-for haven or port.
Part 2. A group of seamen learning the practical side of navigation and chart-reading. Various books and navigational instruments can be seen, including a chart atlas and a partly rolled-up chart. One of the figures holds a flaming torch as a reminder of the work’s Zee-Fakkel (Sea Torch) title.
Above the instructional scene, gods and goddesses in the sky disport themselves below a zodiacal arch. Jupiter (Zeus) can be seen with his attributes: an eagle and flaming arrows; his wife Juno with her twin peacocks; and Apollo with his harp. Other figures represent War, Time, Travel and (to the right) the figure of Navigation with her guiding star, shield of security and a ship held safely in her hand.
Part 3. Allegorical figure, carrying the torch, shining over the people and countries of the Mediterranean Sea. At the bottom: a battle between a Dutch ship and galleys.
Part 5. Navigation in North America and the Caribbean. It depicts an allegory of America: Hermes, who offers goods for trade to a native, accompanied by Neptunus, god of the sea, and Jupiter, who carries the torch.
During one century, these plates were used without altering their design. The engraved imprint bearing the name Johannes van Keulen was also used consistently. This caused a contradiction in the title pages, when the name of Gerard was printed on the typographic 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: 33019 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Title Pages
Five allegorical title pages of van Keulen's Zeefakkel.
[No title]
Jan Luyken invenit Aernout Naghtegael Schulp
Designer: Jan Luyken.
Engraver: Aernout Naghtegael.
Date of the first edition: 1681-1709.
Date of this map: 1709.
Date on map: 1709.
Copper engravings, printed on paper.
Image size: 510 x 275mm (20 x 10¾ inches).
Sheet size: 540 x 310mm (21¼ x 12¼ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
From: De Nieuwe Groote Lichtende Zee-Fakkel, ... Amsterdam, G. & J. van Keulen, 1697-1709.
Although Gerard van Keulen published this atlas, it still bears the name of Joannes van Keulen. (Koeman IV, p. 317)
Frontispices:
General frontispice, also used for the Zee-atlas: The coronation of the sea-god Neptune, who is standing behind a large celestial sphere with a trident in one hand and a pair of dividers in the other. Around the sphere are six female figures. One is placing a fine crown on his head, composed of the decorative sterns of six galleons; the others represent the continents, with perhaps the two figures on the right, with feathered headpieces, representing North and South America separately. Europe wears a crucifix, is accompanied by her mentor bull, and is studying a sea atlas which is open at a chart of the English Channel. To the left, Asia is accompanied by a lion and a lioness and Africa by a parrot.
In the skies above Neptune's head is a most unusual feature - Aeolus, the god of winds, sits astride a large inflated bladder or sack, steered by control of its narrow orifice. Perhaps the first (unintentional) demonstration of jet-engined propulsion!
Part 1: A tall, graceful female figure holds a globe, illuminated by a torch in her other hand. With dark stormy clouds in the background, the same torch lights up a group of creatures of the deep: Mercury with his caduceus and winged helmet astride a huge sea-serpent; a mermaid with an anchor; a figure with a mirror (an emblem of Truth); and another blowing a sea-horn.
These all combine, as intended, to reassure buyers that the charts in Van Keulen's atlases will safely bring the sailor and his ship through all the perils of the seas and into their hoped-for haven or port.
Part 2. A group of seamen learning the practical side of navigation and chart-reading. Various books and navigational instruments can be seen, including a chart atlas and a partly rolled-up chart. One of the figures holds a flaming torch as a reminder of the work’s Zee-Fakkel (Sea Torch) title.
Above the instructional scene, gods and goddesses in the sky disport themselves below a zodiacal arch. Jupiter (Zeus) can be seen with his attributes: an eagle and flaming arrows; his wife Juno with her twin peacocks; and Apollo with his harp. Other figures represent War, Time, Travel and (to the right) the figure of Navigation with her guiding star, shield of security and a ship held safely in her hand.
Part 3. Allegorical figure, carrying the torch, shining over the people and countries of the Mediterranean Sea. At the bottom: a battle between a Dutch ship and galleys.
Part 5. Navigation in North America and the Caribbean. It depicts an allegory of America: Hermes, who offers goods for trade to a native, accompanied by Neptunus, god of the sea, and Jupiter, who carries the torch.
During one century, these plates were used without altering their design. The engraved imprint bearing the name Johannes van Keulen was also used consistently. This caused a contradiction in the title pages, when the name of Gerard was printed on the typographic 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.