1640 Tabula exactissima Regnoru Sueciae et Norvegiae
Tabula exactissima Regnoru Sueciae et Norvegiae nec non Maris Universi Orientalis Terracumq adiacentium, summo studio ad Andrea Bureo Sueco
By: Matthaus Merian
Date: 1640 (circa) Frankfurt
Dimensions: 12 x 14 inches (30.5 x 35.5 cm)
A fine 17th century map of Scandinavia published by Matthaus Merian based on earlier cartographic works by Andreas Buraeus. The map shows all of Scandinavia to include present-day Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Russia.
As noted in the title cartouche, this map was based upon the work of Andreas Buraeus a prominent Swedish cartographer and scholar in the early 17th century. Born in 1571 and active until his death in 1646, Bureus made significant contributions to the cartographic understanding of Scandinavia and its inhabitants. One example of this can be found in the northern reaches of the map that features two indigenous huts with burning fires inside and a section of text that describes the inhabitants of the region to be Laplanders, who are related to the Muscovites.
The map is highly detailed with place names as well as physical topography and hydrography of the region. A wide variety of fonts can be found throughout the work and the title cartouche is embellished with the coat of arms of Sweden that feature the "Three Crowns of Sweden" quartering the "Lion of Bjelbo." Mountains, forests, and the ocean are all delicately hand colored, likely well after the map was first printed.
Condition: This map is in B condition with a few short tears around the margins that have been reinforced on the verso.
Inventory #12755
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