Maps by The Family Blaeu
“The finest Dutch map publishers were the Blaeu family, and they hold the title of mapmakers supreme for any period of cartographical history.” (R. Baynton-Williams, Investing in Maps).
Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) was the founder of the Blaeu publishing house and established the fine reputation of Blaeu maps. His long-standing interest in mathematics and astronomy led him to Tycho Brahe in Denmark where he learned the art of globe-making. On returning to the Netherlands, he set up a business in Amsterdam to make use of his new-found globe-making skills. The business was to develop to incorporate its own printing press and Willem Janszoon Blaeu’s first publications included sea charts in Het Licht Der Zee-Vaert in 1608 and a revised issue of Copernicus’ De Revolutionibus Orbium Caelestium.
He published his first world atlas, the Atlantis Appendix in 1630, in association with his eldest son, Joan Blaeu (c.1599-1673). The atlas was based around the printing plates acquired from Jodocus Hondius Jr.’s stock, who had himself published the later edition of Mercator’s Atlas. The atlas contained some sixty maps. This work was expanded in 1631 to contain 98 maps and bore the joint imprint of father and son with the title Appendix Theatri A.Ortelii Et Atlantis G. Mercatoris.
In 1634 he commenced publication of the Theatrum or Novus Atlas. This two-volume work was larger still with up to 208 maps. This atlas, published in four separate editions in four different languages, was clear evidence of his ambitions. The success of this atlas and plans for subsequent projects meant a premises move at this time. Just one year later in 1638 Willem Janszoon Blaeu died and control of the business passed to his son, Joan.
Joan “aimed at the full description of heaven, earth and water” (Koeman, Atlantes Neerlandici) and continually expanded the Novus Atlas in this quest. The work grew to some nine to twelve folio volumes by c.1662 known as the Atlas Major, generally regarded as the pinnacle of atlas- publishing. The Atlas Maior finally incorporated over 650 maps, often found in the loveliest contemporary colour.
The Blaeu printing house was one of the largest in the world and Joan was assisted by his sons Willem, Pieter and Joan II. Their endeavours insured Blaeu maps were, and still are, renowned for the consummate care and attention apparent in every stage of production - using only the best paper with finely engraved plates and a high standard of printing.
World Maps | |
| Novus Planiglobii Terrestris Per Utrumque Polum Conspectus
mapmaker: J.Blaeu / G.Valck |
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Europe Maps | |
| Europa Recens Descripta ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Gallaecia Regnum
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Insulae Balearides Et Pytiusae
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Britannia Ducatus
mapmaker: W. & J.Blaeu |
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| Sabudia Ducatus. Savoye
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Meklenburg Ducatus ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Rhenus, Mosella, Vahalis, Mosa & Reliqui ...
mapmaker: W.J.Blaeu |
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| Tabula Electoratus Brandenburgcici, Mecklenburgi ...
mapmaker: N.J.Piscatore (Visscher) / G.Blaeu |
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| Rugia Insula Ac Ducatus ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Tractus Danubii, Fluminis In Europa Maximi, A Fontibus ...
mapmaker: W.Blaeu |
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| "... Urbis Moskuae ..."
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Dwina Fluvius
mapmaker: J.Blaeu / Covens & Mortier |
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| Insula Huena Sive Venusia ...
mapmaker: W. & J.Blaeu |
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| Tabula Islandiae ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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Asia Maps | |
| Natolia Quae Olim Asia Minor
mapmaker: W.Blaeu |
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| Turcicum Imperium
mapmaker: G. & J. Blaeu |
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| Arabia
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Magni Mogolis Imperium
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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America Maps | |
| Americae Nova Tabula. ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Virginiae Partis Australis, Et Floridae Partis Orientalis ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Nova Virginia Tabula
mapmaker: J.Hondius / W & J.Blaeu |
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| Nova Virginiae Tabula
mapmaker: J.Hondius / G.Blaeu |
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West Indies Maps | |
| Mappa Aestivarum Insularum Alias Barmudas ...
mapmaker: J.Hondius / G.Blaeu |
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British Isles Maps | |
| Magnae Britanniae Et Hiberniae Tabula
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Anglia Regnum
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Magnae Britanniae Et Hiberniae Tabula
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Britannia Prout Divis Suit Temporibus Anglo-Saxonum ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Sarnia Insula, Vulgo Garnsey : Insula Caesarea ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Sarnia Insula, Vulgo Garnsey: Et Insula Caeserea ... Jarsey
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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English County Maps B-K | |
| Bercheria Vernacule Bark Shire
mapmaker: G. & J.Blaeu |
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| Glocestria Ducatus; Vulgo Glocester Shire
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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English County Maps L-Y | |
| Middle-Sexia
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Comitatus Nottinghamiensis; Nottingham Shire
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Rutlandia Comitatus. Rutland Shire
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Surria Vernacule Surrey
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Suthsexia; Vernacule Sussex
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| Wigorniensis Comitatus Et Comitatus Warwicensis ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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| Ducatus Eboracensis Pars Occidentalis, ...
mapmaker: G.Blaeu |
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Title Pages | |
| [Title-Page] ... Atlas Novus Partis Secundae Pars Altera
mapmaker: G. & J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Untitled
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde Ou Nouvel Atlas ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Seste Stuck Der Aerdrycks Beschryving ...
mapmaker: W. & J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde Ou Nouvel Atlas ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Guil Et Ionnis Blaeu Theatrum Orbis Terrarum ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Novvs Atlas Das Ist Welt-Beschreibung ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Guil Et Ioannis Blaeu Theatrum Orbis Terrarum ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Sive Atlas Novus ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Untitled
mapmaker: J. & C.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Toonneel Des Aerdrycx, Oft Nieuwe Atlas ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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| [Title-Page] Toonneel Des Aerdrycx, Oft Nieuwe Atlas ...
mapmaker: J.Blaeu |
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![[Title-Page] ... Atlas Novus Partis Secundae Pars Altera](/mapimages/maplist/19855.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Untitled](/mapimages/maplist/19856.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde ...](/mapimages/maplist/230171.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde Ou Nouvel Atlas ...](/mapimages/maplist/34002.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Seste Stuck Der Aerdrycks Beschryving ...](/mapimages/maplist/34012.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde Ou Nouvel Atlas ...](/mapimages/maplist/34080.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Guil Et Ionnis Blaeu Theatrum Orbis Terrarum ...](/mapimages/maplist/34081.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Novvs Atlas Das Ist Welt-Beschreibung ...](/mapimages/maplist/34091.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Guil Et Ioannis Blaeu Theatrum Orbis Terrarum ...](/mapimages/maplist/34092.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Theatrum Orbis Terrarum Sive Atlas Novus ...](/mapimages/maplist/34093.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Untitled](/mapimages/maplist/34098.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Toonneel Des Aerdrycx, Oft Nieuwe Atlas ...](/mapimages/maplist/34101.jpg)
![[Title-Page] Toonneel Des Aerdrycx, Oft Nieuwe Atlas ...](/mapimages/maplist/34102.jpg)