Maps by The Family Blaeu
“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, Investing in Maps).
Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) was the founder of the Blaeu publishing house and established the fine reputation of Blaeu maps. His long-standing interest in mathematics and astronomy led him to Tycho Brahe in Denmark where he learned the art of globe-making. On returning to the Netherlands, he set up a business in Amsterdam to make use of his new-found globe-making skills. The business was to develop to incorporate its own printing press and Willem Janszoon Blaeu’s first publications included sea charts in Het Licht Der Zee-Vaert in 1608 and a revised issue of Copernicus’ De Revolutionibus Orbium Caelestium.
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 later edition of Mercator’s Atlas. The atlas contained some sixty maps. This work 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. The success of this atlas and plans for subsequent projects meant a premises move at this time. Just one year later in 1638 Willem Janszoon Blaeu died and control of the business passed to his son, Joan.
Joan “aimed at the full description of heaven, earth and water” (Koeman, Atlantes Neerlandici) and continually expanded the Novus Atlas in this quest. The work grew to some nine to twelve folio volumes by c.1662 known as the Atlas Major, generally regarded as the pinnacle of atlas- publishing. The Atlas Maior finally incorporated over 650 maps, often found in the loveliest contemporary colour.
The Blaeu printing house was one of the largest in the world and Joan was assisted by his sons Willem, Pieter and Joan II. Their endeavours insured Blaeu maps were, and still are, renowned for the consummate care and attention apparent in every stage of production - using only the best paper with finely engraved plates and a high standard of printing.
Europe Maps
By G. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1634-, copperplate, original outline colour, 175 by 245mm (7 by 9.75 inches). mm
Ref: 30357
Price: £ 380
By W. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1635-1645, copperplate, original outline colour, 380 by 500mm (15 by 19¾ inches). mm
Ref: 21827
Price: £ 320
By W. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1631-1645, copperplate, original outline colour, 380 by 500mm (15 by 19¾ inches). mm
Ref: 21829
Price: £ 320
By W. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1631-1645, copperplate, original outline colour, 390 by 500mm (15.25 by 19.75 inches). mm
Ref: 21832
Price: £ 200
By W. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1631-1645, copperplate, original outline colour, 380 by 500mm (15 by 19¾ inches). mm
Ref: 21834
Price: £ 280
By W. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1631-1645, copperplate, original outline colour, 380 by 495mm (15 by 19½ inches). mm
Ref: 21841
Price: £ 280
By W. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1635-1645, copperplate, original outline colour, 375 by 495mm (14¾ by 19½ inches). mm
Ref: 21853
Price: £ 260
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1662-c.1690, copperplate, original colour, 410 by 475mm (16.25 by 18.75 inches). mm
Ref: 27238
Price: £ 680
Africa Maps
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1662-, copperplate, coloured, 440 by 520mm (17.25 by 20.5 inches). mm
Ref: 38345
Price: £ 800
Asia Maps
By M.Martini / J.Blaeu / P.Mortier of Amsterdam, c.1600, copperplate, original o/l colour, 425 x 575 mm
Ref: 37007
Price: £ 1600
America Maps
By G.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1640-1641, copperplate, original colour, 380 x 500 mm
Ref: 30809
Price: £ 2200
South America Maps
By J. Hondius / G. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1630-1631, copperplate, uncoloured, 370 by 475mm (14.5 by 18.75 inches). mm
Ref: 26062
Price: £ 260
By J. Hondius / G. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1630-1631, Copperplate, coloured, 385 by 495mm (15.25 by 19.5 inches). mm
Ref: 40279
Price: £ 750
British Isles Maps
By W. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1623 -, copperplate, uncoloured, 255 by 365mm (10 by 14.25 inches). mm
Ref: 43923
Price: £ 300
English County Maps B-K
By G. & J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1646, Copperplate, original colour, 420 x 240 mm
Ref: 21548
Price: £ 280
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 400 by 510mm (15.75 by 20 inches). mm
Ref: 38996
Price: £ 480
By G. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 - 1648, copperplate, coloured, 410 by 265mm (16.25 by 10.5 inches). mm
Ref: 41193
Price: £ 380
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1658, Copperplate, original colour, 440 x 550 mm
Ref: 34930
Price: £ 450
By G. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-, copperplate, original outline colour, 430 by 545mm (17 by 21.5 inches). mm
Ref: 42411
Price: £ 500
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 -1662, copperplate, original outline colour, 390 by 500mm (15.25 by 19.75 inches). mm
Ref: 43940
Price: £ 320
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 395 by 510mm (15.5 by 20 inches). mm
Ref: 39006
Price: £ 500
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 420 by 515mm (16.5 by 20.25 inches). mm
Ref: 39009
Price: £ 460
By G. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1672, copperplate, coloured, 410 by 495mm (16.25 by 19.5 inches). mm
Ref: 43187
Price: £ 750
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 -1661, copperplate, original colour, 420 x 510 mm
Ref: 20712
Price: £ 460
English County Maps L-Y
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1646, Copperplate, original colour, 380 x 500 mm
Ref: 13463
Price: £ 420
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 -1661, copperplate, original colour, 380 x 485 mm
Ref: 20703
Price: £ 420
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 425 by 520mm (16.75 by 20.5 inches). mm
Ref: 39017
Price: £ 400
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 - c.1650, copperplate, coloured, 380 by 500mm (15 by 19.75 inches). mm
Ref: 42814
Price: £ 520
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 - c.1650, copperplate, coloured, 380 by 500mm (15 by 19.75 inches). mm
Ref: 42918
Price: £ 460
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645 - 1648, Copperplate, coloured, 410 by 510mm (16.25 by 20 inches). mm
Ref: 41503
Price: £ 540
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 395 by 510mm (15.5 by 20 inches). mm
Ref: 39022
Price: £ 380
Wales Maps & Charts
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1646, copperplate, original outline colour, 380 by 495mm (15 by 19.5 inches). mm
Ref: 13487
Price: £ 350
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1646, copperplate, original outline colour, 380 by 495mm (15 by 19.5 inches). mm
Ref: 13490
Price: £ 300
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 420 by 550mm (16.5 by 21.75 inches). mm
Ref: 39015
Price: £ 350
Scotland Maps & Charts
By T. Pont / J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1654 - 1662, copperplate, original colour with gilding, 455 by 560mm (18 by 22 inches). mm
Ref: 41510
Price: £ 320
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, c.1650, Copperplate, coloured, 400 by 530mm (15.75 by 20.75 inches). mm
Ref: 42783
Price: £ 420
By T. Pont / J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1654-, copperplate, original colour, 420 by 520mm (16.5 by 20.5 inches). mm
Ref: 43802
Price: £ 400
Title Pages
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645, copperplate, original colour, 405 x 245 mm
Ref: 23017
Price: £ 260
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1647, copperplate, coloured, 410 x 250 mm
Ref: 34002
Price: £ 380
By W. & J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1664, copperplate, original colour, 405 x 245 mm
Ref: 34012
Price: £ 300
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645, copperplate, original colour, 330 x 200 mm
Ref: 34081
Price: £ 420
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1648, copperplate, coloured, 430 x 250 mm
Ref: 34091
Price: £ 460
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1648, copperplate, original colour, 410 x 250 mm
Ref: 34092
Price: £ 520
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1642, Copperplate, uncoloured, 330 x 200 mm
Ref: 34100
Price: £ 360
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1650, copperplate, original colour, 330 x 200 mm
Ref: 34101
Price: £ 380
By J.Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1650, copperplate, original colour, 410 x 280 mm
Ref: 34102
Price: £ 380
By J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1645-1648, Copperplate, coloured, 330 by 200mm (13 by 7.75 inches). mm
Ref: 39052
Price: £ 420
By G. & J. Blaeu of Amsterdam, 1656, Copperplate, original colour, 390 by 240mm (15.25 by 9.5 inches). mm
Ref: 40288
Price: £ 500