Send a link to this page to a friend

Sections marked with a * can't be left blank. Read our privacy statement.

*	your name
*	your e-mail address
*	your friend's name
*	your friend's e-mail address
	your message
		would you like a copy of your e-mail?

[Title-Page] Le Theatre Du Monde ...

hover the cursor over image to pan/zoom, or click the image to view a larger version

click here to view a large version in a separate window

"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). Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) was the founder of the Blaeu publishing house and established the fine reputation of Blaeu maps. 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 lateredition of Mercator's "Atlas". The atlas contained some sixty maps. Thiswork 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. In 1638 Willem Janszoon Blaeu died and control of the business passed to his son, Joan. He "aimed at the full description of heaven, earth and water" and continually expanded the "Novus Atlas" in this quest - it grew to up to 12 folio volumes by c.1662 and was known as the "Atlas Maior", finally incorporating over 650 maps. This is the titlepage to "Le Theatre Du Monde Ou Nouvel Atlas ... Seconde Partie" - an architectural surround houses the title panel. The whole appears under the motto, "Duo Protegit Uns".

region: Title Pages

mapmaker: J.Blaeu

place and date of publication: Amsterdam 1645

medium and colour: copperplate, Original colour
size in mm: 405 x 245

ref: 23017
literature: cf. Shirley, Courtiers And Cannibals, 47.

Price: reserved

Enquire Reserved Sold

return to Title Pages