166. Blaeu, Willem Janszoon: Virginiae partis australis, et Floridae...

... partis orientalis, interjacentiumq(uae) regionum nova descriptio.
Amsterdam, 1640.
Contemporary coloured, second state map by Willem Janszoon Blaeu showing the East Coast of North America from northern Florida to the Chesapeake Bay. The cartography is based upon Jodocus Hondius Jr.’s map of 1606 but with significant revisions – mainly based on John Smith’s discoveries around the Chesapeake Bay – and published as an appendix of the „Theatre du Monde” atlas (our copy is not one of these). Although the limited knowledge of the area is evident, the literature mentions it as the most accurate cartographic work of the time regarding the colonised provinces. On the map field, the engraver indicated the English and French territories with coats of arms. The linear scale is surrounded by putti, a cartouche decorated with Indian figures is placed in the interior of the mainland, and the sea is illustrated with galleys and compass roses. Given the lack of explanatory text on the back of most copies, it is assumed that it was distributed as a separate sheet or as part of a composite atlas.
Dimensions: 390 x 505 (410 x 525) mm. Fine, clean copy.
Burden: 253 (state 2.).; van der Krogt II.: 9400:2b.; Koeman I.: Bl 299.
 
Starting price: 200 000,-