1630 Nova Francia et Regiones Adiacentes
By: Hessel Gerritsz & Joannes de Laet
Date: 1630 (published) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 11.2 x 14.2 inches (28.5 cm x 36 cm)
This is an authentic, antique map showing the areas surrounding the St. Lawrence present day French Canada, New England, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia by Joannes de Laet. The map was published in Amsterdam as part of de Laet's work Beschryvinghe van West-Indien in 1630.
Considered one of the foundation maps of Canada, this is the first printed map to show an accurate Prince Edward Island and the earliest to show a north-south orientation of Lake Champlain. The R. Saguenay is accurately depicted flowing from two unnamed lakes and Lac S. Pierre is clearly identified. As a director of the newly formed Dutch West India Company, De Laet had access to much of the cartographic work and manuscript material done at the time, including the work of Hessel Gerritsz, the official cartographer of the Company.
Hessel Gerritsz is considered to be one of the most important Dutch cartographers of the 17th century. Most of his work exists only in manuscript and these maps, published by De Laet, are the only Gerritsz maps available to the collector today. Johannes De Laet's Nieuwe Wereldt ofte Beschrijvinghe van West-Indien was the second earliest compilation of maps to focus on America, after Cornelis Wyfliet's work of 1597.
However, while some attribute the cartography of this map to Gerritsz, the geography of Newfoundland is considerably different from other maps by him. The numerous Portuguese place names infer a Portuguese source for the map. In any case, De Laet's depiction of Newfoundland was copied by several other cartographers to the end of the century.
Ref: Burden #230; Kershaw #88.
Condition: This map is in A condition with ample margins and lovely hand coloring.
Inventory #19071
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