Catalog Archive
Auction 143, Lot 460

"Vistus Insula, vulgo Viist, cum aliis minoribus ex Aebudarum Numero ei ad meridiem adjacentibus Auct. Timotheo Pont", Blaeu, Johannes

Subject: Outer Hebrides, Scotland

Period: 1654 (circa)

Publication: Atlas Novus

Color: Hand Color

Size:
22.6 x 17.6 inches
57.4 x 44.7 cm
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This stunning map of the Uists and Barra in the Outer Hebrides provides a very early view of the region. The main map details from Berneray to South Uist and the inset continues the island chain to Barra Head. Dutch text on verso.

Publication of Bleau’s atlas of Scotland (Atlas Novus, Volume V) in 1654 was a landmark publication in cartographic history. Most of the maps were based on the surveys of Timothy Pont, which had been done half a century earlier. The publication took over seven decades to bring to publication; delayed by wars, copyright restrictions, and only intermittent official support. The maps are scarce today due to the relatively short publication history of the atlas.

References: Fleet, http://maps.nls.uk/atlas/blaeu/history_behind_publication.html

Condition: B+

A fine sharp impression with old color. There is some faint ink offsetting in the map with light damp stains and professionally repaired tears in the blank margins.

Estimate: $200 - $275

Sold for: $170

Closed on 2/13/2013

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