1659 Original Map of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE by Blaeu Rare Spanish Edition (EB)

Listing Template 2018 Home About Us View Feedback Contact Us 1659 Original Map of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE by Blaeu Rare Spanish Edition (EB)Description1659BUCKINGHAMI-ENSIS COMITATUS Anglis Buckingham ShireA highly decorative and sought afterengraved 17th Century Map of Berkshire showing Royal Coatof Arms at the top left with title decorative cartouche at top centre cartouche with putti at the bottom left along withcoats of arms of the Noble families of the County at top right.The map itself is filled with details of the countryside including forests, parks, townsand villages. Spanish text on verso.Measures 31.7cmx 49cmwith early hand colouring.For much of the 17th Century the firm of Blaeu were the dominant mapmakers at a time when Dutch cartography was universally acknowledged to lead the world. Established in 1596 by Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638), who had studied as a young man under the great astronomer, Tycho Brahe, it originally produced globes and scientific instruments. However, the firm soon expanded into map-making and publishing, and eventually became one of the most important and prolific map producers in Amsterdam.In 1623 they published 'Het Licht der Zeevaerdt'an atlas of sea-charts. In 1629 Willem and his son Jan (1596-1673) purchased 37 engraved plates from the widow of their rival Hondius and the following year they produced their first land atlas, the Atlantis Appendixwhich contained sixty maps. In 1635 this was expanded into the Atlas Novus a major world atlas in six volumes. This contained a county atlas of England and Wales and from 1635-59 was published in editions in Dutch, Latin, French, German and Spanish.After the death of his father, Jan (also spelt Joan or Johannes) Blaeu embarked on one of the most ambitious publishing undertakings of the 17th Century, the printing of the 'Atlas Maior'.This magnificent work was to contain nearly six hundred maps and, depending on the edition, varied between nine and twelve volumes. Exquisite engraving allied with typically lovely hand-colouring make maps from the 'Novus'and 'Maior'atlases some of the finest ever produced.The 'Atlas Maior'was to be the crowning glory of the Blaeu firm, but in 1672 a disastrous fire swept through the Blaeu printing house destroying much of the stock and most of the engraved copperplates. The following year Jan died and the surviving plates were dispersed.The period between 1570 and 1670 is known as the Golden Age of Dutch Cartography and it is a measure of the Blaeuand#8217;s achievements that they were the dominant cartographers throughout most of this period. Reflecting their contemporary reputations Willem and Jan were in turn both appointed Hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) and their atlases were frequently presented to foreign sovereigns and potentates by the Dutch government.Original antique Mapis in very good condition with the usual central fold as issued. View Our Categories Decorative Prints World Wide Maps Scotland Maps Architecture Design England Maps Royalty About UsWe specialise in selling all items that can be considered to be Antique Paper. * PRINTS * MAPS * HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS * POSTAL HISTORY * BOOKS * POSTERS * STAMPS * POSTCARDS * EPHEMERA And anything else that is considered Antique and made of Paper. ALL OF OUR ITEMS ARE ORIGINAL ANTIQUES - NOT MODERN COPIES. We are also very keen buyers of anything similar and especially after better collections, original archives, whole libraries and better single items and have and#163;250,000 in cash funds at anyone time to buy the right items. Contact UsIf you have any questions then please do not hesitate to contact us through the eBay messaging system. Feedback We will always help you to have a 100% positive happy buying experience. Contact us if you are unhappy about any aspect of your purchase from us. We only want five star feedback from you so buy with confidence.