Lot 60
  • 60

KEERE, NOVA TOTIUS TERRARUM ORBIS GEOGRAPHICA AC HYDROGRAPHICA TABULA, 1632

Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Nova totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula. Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonius, 1632
499 x 582mm., double-page engraved map, hand-coloured, verso blank, remargined, laid down, repair to fold-line at bottom, a few small wormholes, upper half of the top decorative border in expert facsimile

Literature

Shirley 309 & pl.9 (p.XXII-XXIII)

Condition

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"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

Referring to this map, Shirley comments "...the informative borders on Jansson's map exemplify Dutch engraving and decorative skills of the early seventeenth century". This is one of the most dramatic folio world maps from the Dutch "cartes-à-figures" period. The map is flanked with eight sovereigns on horseback in the upper border, ten pairs of male and female costume figures from European countries in the lower, and eighteen vignette views of cities, and with two inset Biblical scenes, and an elaborate title cartouche incorporating nine portraits, Ptolemy and eight famous mariners, including Columbus, Magellan and Drake.

This map first appeared in 1622. Following the death of his first wife, van den Keere was forced to sell many map plates. This map passed to Dirck Evertsen Lons, who reprinted it in the same year. Subsequently the plates passed to Janssonius who reprinted it in 1628 and 1632, as here.

Separately-published maps of this kind have a very high mortality rate, unless an early owner incorporated them into a volume, and it is through being bound that many such maps survive today. Unfortunately, van den Keere prepared this map to an oversize folio format, too large to fit conveniently into contemporary atlases, hence its rarity today, and the reason that this example has been folded down to atlas folio format, with separation to the vulnerable folds - particularly affecting the equestrian figures along the upper border.