Maps

French text verso

A beautiful carte-a-figures map of Asia published in Amsterdam by the famous Dutch mapmaker William Blaeu in the early seventeenth century. The origins of this general map of the Asian continent go back as far as 1617 when William Blaeu issued it as a separate publication. It was then included in the atlas series from 1630 to the 1660s, essentially unchanged in spite of more up-to-date information appearing on several of the regional maps of Asia issued by the Blaeus. Like the other general continental maps, this very handsome map is embellished with five pairs of costumed figures in the side border vignettes and nine small town views in the frieze along the top. These include Calicut, Goa, Damascus, Jerusalem, Hormuz, Bantam and Aden. In contrast to the map of China, Korea is drawn as an island marked Corea Ins. There is no hint at all of Australia to the south of the East Indies, but there is a strong suggestion of a sea passage from Europe via a northeast passage through the Strait of Anian (Fretum Anian) between northeastern Asia and America.

As mapmaker to the V.O.C. or the Dutch East India Company William Blaeu had access to the latest discoveries and information about the region. The Blaeu family was one of the most famous publishers of maps, globes and atlases. They were also cartographers, globe and instrument makers. The family flourished in Amsterdam for more than 40 years until a fire destroyed their premises on the Gravenstraat in 1672.

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