Catalog Archive
Auction 99, Lot 81

"Americae nova Tabula", Blaeu, Willem

Subject: Western Hemisphere

Period: 1642 (circa)

Publication: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum

Color: Hand Color

Size:
21.7 x 16 inches
55.1 x 40.6 cm
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This magnificent carte-a-figures map is a superb example of the fine art of decorative cartography with ships and sea monsters embellishing the map. Panels at sides, each with five portraits of the native inhabitants of the two continents. Across the top are nine town plans including Mexico City, Havana, Cartegena, and Rio de Janeiro. 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 and Tierra del Fuego with Le Maire Strait. This is the fourth state of the plate from a Latin edition with the coastline of Terra Australis Incognita deleted, but the name left behind. Latin text on verso. A lovely example with good impression with original color. Thick hand laid paper with full original margins and large watermark. Evenly and lightly toned.

References: Burden #189; Tooley (Amer) plt. 169.

Condition: B

Two printer’s creases at lower right. Split in lower margin and small tear at upper corner. Both professionally repaired and well away from image.

Estimate: $7,000 - $8,000

Sold for: $7,000

Closed on 6/12/2002

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