- 42
West Indies--Blaeu, Willem Jansz.
Description
- Insulae Americanae in oceano septentrionali, cum terris adjacentibus [letterpress on a paste-on label, stuck over the blank area of an existing cartouche]. [Amsterdam: Willem Jansz Blaeu, 1634], 417 x 553mm., double-page engraved chart, contemporary hand colour, light discoloration at fold
- Paper
Literature
Burden, Mapping of North America 233: state 1a; Van der Krogt 2, 9600:2A
Condition
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
An interesting example of cartographic ingenuity in extremis.
In 1630, Willem Blaeu published a new "West-Indische Paskaart", a four-sheet chart of the Atlantic Ocean, described by Burden as "of landmark importance, being the first sea-chart relating to North America to use Gerard Mercator's projection".
In 1634, Blaeu announced publication of the first edition of the Atlas novus, with German text, but when the atlas went to press the new map of the West Indies was not ready. Rather than halt printing, Blaeu simply took the top-left-hand plate for the Atlantic chart, masked off the extraneous detail by placing paper strips on the plate, and printed the resultant chart, with the title printed on a separate sheet and pasted over the cartouche at top left, and then the sheet inserted in proper sequence in the atlas. That this was an unhappy compromise can be seen by the remnants of the two native figures visible in the lower border, all that remains of a cartouche in central South America.
The intended plate was quickly completed, and brought into service; this version therefore had only a short printing life, hence its scarcity today, with Burden referring to only eight examples.