Catalog Archive
Auction 149, Lot 379

"Brasilia", Blaeu, Johannes

Subject: Brazil

Period: 1640 (circa)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
19.4 x 15.1 inches
49.3 x 38.4 cm
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This map is Blaeu's second map of eastern Brazil with detail confined to the coastlines and the map oriented with north to the right of the chart. The coastline is very detailed, while inland the cartography is highly conjectural and mostly empty, with the exception of the mythical Parime Lago in Guiana and Xarayes Lago in Brazil. The map reflects the short-lived Dutch influence in Brazil through the Dutch West-India Company. It is richly embellished with a title cartouche featuring the Dutch coat of arms, a distance scale cartouche with three putti, compass roses, galleons and rhumb lines. The map is dedicated to Christoph Arciszewski von Artischau, who was a Polish nobleman and officer in the service of the West India Company. Latin text on verso, published between 1640-55.

References: Goss (Blaeu) #80; Van der Krogt (Vol. I) #9850:2B.

Condition: B

A nice impression with overall printer's ink residue, a couple of printer's creases adjacent to centerfold, and a small damp stain near the mouth of the Amazon River.

Estimate: $700 - $850

Unsold

Closed on 5/21/2014

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