1636 Nova Virginiae Tabula
By: Hondius / Joan & Guiljelmus Blaeu
Date: 1636 (circa) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 15 x 19 inches (38 x 48.25 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 John 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.
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 the name of Blaeu engraved over the previous name of Jodocus Hondius. A legend is featured to the left of the coat of arms describing the various types of housing depicted on the map. The compass rose orients the map to the west.
This is an example of the 1636 edition of Nova Virginiae Tabula, identified by the words ex officina Guiljelmi Blaeuw and Dutch text on the verso.
Condition: This map is in A condition with wide margins on all sides, a strong impression of clean paper and superb hand coloring.
Inventory #11062
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