- 148
Blaeu, Willem Janszoon.
Estimate
70,000 - 90,000 GBP
bidding is closed
Description
- The Sea-Mirrour containing a briefe instruction in the art of navigation; and a description of the seas and coasts of the easterne, northerne, and westerne navigation... translated out of Dutch into English, by Richard Hynmers. Amsterdam: W.J. Blaeu, 1625
- paper
First edition in English, 3 parts bound in one volume (parts 2 and 3 containing 6 books each), folio (345 x 237mm.), main and divisional titles with woodcut vignettes, 109 engraved maps, all but 3 double-page, numbered 1-108 with 51bis, 2 other smaller engraved charts in the text, 2 volvelles, woodcut diagrams and coastal profiles in the text, woodcut of ships on titles, with the blank y4 at end of part 2 and the leaf of directions to the binder at end of part 3, contemporary Dutch blind-stamped calf over wooden boards, sides panelled with ornamental rolls, including one of figures of Hope, Justice, Faith and Lucretia, some light browning and dampstaining, repair to margin of chart 23, piece torn from margin of chart 57, split in chart 63, small piece torn from margin of charts 68 and 89, some wear to head and foot of spine and corners, lacking clasps
Provenance
William St. Quintin, bookplate; Harrison D. Horblit, bookplate, sale in our rooms, 10 June 1974, lot 120; sale in our rooms, 11 March 1999, lot 4
Literature
Koeman IV, M.Bl 48; STC 3113; NMM 62 (second English edition, 1635); Waters, The Art of Navigation in Elizabethan and early Stuart Times, p.457 et seq.
Condition
the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue description
"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."
"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
Extremely rare. This is the first known edition of the English edition of Blaeu's Zeespiegel, the charts being the same as those in the Dutch edition of 1623. The Sea-Mirrour holds an important position between Waghenaer's Spieghel der Zeevaert, 1584-85, which for the first time brought together a treatise on the science of navigation, a collection of sailing directions and a set of charts, and Dudley's Arcano del Mare of 1646-48.
The charts are of northern and western Europe from Scandinavia, the Baltic and North Sea to the Atlantic coasts of Ireland, France, Spain and Portugal.