Amsterdam was the world center of cartography in the 17th Century, a period when map making was a flourishing business. Maps of faraway lands had to be updated constantly with new data and details brought back by navigators, merchants and explorers. Published atlases, often very elaborate and richly decorated, were in demand by universities and the nobility. World maps published before 1650 are becoming familiar to contemporary viewers. Uncharted areas were left as blank spots that were increasingly filled by later versions. The first to unveil this new mapping of the world to its full extent, including the newly discovered coastal areas of Australia (New Holland), was Joan Blaeu, the famous Amsterdam publisher of maps and atlases. Blaeu produced a gigantic world map in 1648. The original of this facsimile consisted of twelve segments, printed from 11 engraved copperplates. Measuring 194 x 129 cm in total size, it was published by Gerrit or Gerard van Schagen of Amsterdam, circa 1690. In many ways, this map is a close copy of the original world map that Blaeu published in 1648. This map is dedicated to William III (1650-1702), Prince of Orange, Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Gelderland and Overijssel (1672-1702), and King of England, Scotland and ireland (1689-1702). At this time, the only known original of this spectacular world map known to exist is part of the Special Collections Department of the University Library of Amsterdam, who made it possible for Authentic Models to create this exact facsimile.
Giclee Map of World facsimile circa 1600 A rayon material with Cherry hardwood molding top and bottomSet of two scrolls Dimensions: 78.75" L x 56.75" H x 1.5" D |