Catalog Archive
Auction 156, Lot 69

Blaeu's Stunning Carte-a-Figures Map of the Americas

"Americae Nova Tabula", Blaeu, Willem

Subject: Western Hemisphere - America

Period: 1643 (circa)

Publication: Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas

Color: Hand Color

Size:
21.9 x 16.3 inches
55.6 x 41.4 cm
Download High Resolution Image
(or just click on image to launch the Zoom viewer)

This stunning carte-a-figures map is a superb example of the fine art of decorative cartography and a seventeenth-century European view of the New World. The coastal outlines generally follow Ortelius and Wytfliet with nomenclature from a variety of explorers and colonists. Panels at sides, each with five portraits of the native inhabitants, were taken from John White (Virginia), Hans Staden (Brazil) and other early explorer's accounts. Across the top are nine town plans including Havana, St. Domingo, Cartegena, Mexico City, Cusco, Potosi, I. la Mocha in Chile, Rio de Janeiro and Olinda in Brazil. This is one of the few maps of the Americas by this famous Dutch cartographer. The map itself is similar to Blaeu's wall map of 1608 with the additional discoveries of Henry Hudson in North America, and Tierra del Fuego with Le Maire Strait. This is the fourth state of the plate with the imprint changed to Auct: Guiljelmo Blaeuw and some re-engraving of the sea surrounding the ships and sea monsters. French text on verso, published between 1643-50.

References: Burden #189; Goss (Blaeu) p. 156; Tooley (Amer) p. 297; Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #9000:2.

Condition: B+

Full original color that has been refreshed, with light soiling and a professionally repaired centerfold separation at top. There are a few small abrasions in the decorative border.

Estimate: $6,000 - $7,000

Sold for: $4,000

Closed on 2/17/2016

Archived