1630 Nova Virginiae Tabula
By: Henricus Hondius
Date: 1630 (circa) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 15 x 19.5 inches (38 cm x 49.5 cm)
This map of the Chesapeake Bay region is one of the most important of its day, and is credited with disseminating knowledge of the English settlement in Virginia throughout Europe in the 17th century.
The map is a derivative of Captain Joh Smith’s seminal map of 1612, which was the first to depict the Bay and its tributaries and other waterways with any accuracy. It is highly detailed with geophysical features. The names of countless indigenous peoples are featured throughout the entire region, most of them on the banks of rivers, which would have been essential to settling in any region. Henricus Hondius based his important map of the Chesapeake Bay region on the map of Jodocus Hondius, Jr., whose plates had been sold to Blaeu, necessitating the re-engraving by Henricus in about 1630.
Most of the maps of this area were published by Blaeu and included French text on the verso describing the area depicted and some history of it. This map features Latin on face of the map and German on the verso. The upper left hand corner features the great Indian chief Powhatan seated on his throne, attended by his subjects. The upper right quadrant features the Royal British coat of arms beneath which a solitary Indian in war regalia armed with a club and a bow stands at guard. At the center of the bottom of the map is featured a scale of miles which also includes Hondius’ name. A legend is featured to the left of the coat of arms describing the various types of housing depicted on the map.
Condition: This map is in B condition, with thinning in a few places and a small hole (at point comfort) closed and reinforced on the verso. A marginal tear near the centerfold has also been repaired with archival materials on the verso. The map displays exceptional eye-appeal overall.
Inventory #10871
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