1640 Virginiae Partis Australis, et Floridae Partis Orientalis…
By: Willem Janszoon Blaeu
Date: 1640 (circa) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 15 x 19.8 inches (38.1 x 50.3 cm)
A superb example of Blaeu's Dutch map of the Carolinas, Virginia and Georgia, the second earliest of the Duth maps to focus on the region.
Blaeu based his map on the 1606 map of Mercator-Hondius, but added significant information based on exploratory reports made over the decades separating publication of the two. The map covers the region from present day northern Florida to Chesapeake Bay.
Blaeu’s depiction of the Outer Banks and inclusion of Chesapeake Bay especially distinguish it from its 1606 predecessor as does the addition of the settlements of Bermouth, Stortingen and Arglas. Blaeu has included the marvelous mythical lakes in the interior along with some other conjectural cartography of the time. Reference to the Appalachian Mountains is present, and forested areas of Virginia are indicated. Many place names are taken from those labeling lands of various Indian tribes
The map is embellished with a large title cartouche featuring full figures of indigenous peoples in tribal dress, two coats of arms, two compass roses, putti holding a banner containing the distance legend, and a number of ships at full sail. These features combined with elegant calligraphy combine to make the map a great artistic success. Blaeu’s map was considered the best depiction of the region until 1700.
Condition: This hand colored map is in A condition, with full margins and some minor edge tears that do not come close to the image. Latin text on verso.
Inventory #11667
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