Chapter II: Part 2

He often intimated to his friend, W. Schickard, his ever present desire to improve his maps, in which references we find the first promises of his work issued in 1634 under the title “Toonneel des Aerdrycx.” In a letter dated Amsterdam, November 22, 1633, he tells his friend of his preparation for this new Atlas,[27] expressing the hope that he would be able to complete the first part during the winter, and accepting from him an offer for a new map of Würtemberg, for which he was ready and willing to pay the price asked. This map he thought would add much to his maps of Germany. December 6, 1633, he writes again to Schickard: “The esteemed gentleman, Hugo Grotius, has informed you that I am planning a new Atlas, and that a considerable part of it is already completed, in addition to my Appendix Theatri Ortelii et Atlantis Mercatoris, which has been published, so that I will be able to issue yet this winter two parts of reasonable size, one part of which will contain maps of upper and lower Germany, and as I should like to add this map of Würtemberg which you have drawn, and which you have promised me, I therefore wish to postpone the publication a little longer. You write that this map of Würtemberg which you have drawn on twenty sheets can be reduced to four of common size. If, however, you deem it better to make use of more sheets, you may follow your pleasure. Whatever your decision, I will pay the price which you ask for it.” On January 12, 1634, Blaeu writes Schickard again: “I am pleased to learn you agree with my opinion in regard to the number of maps. It is my intention to place two or three provinces on one sheet, but it will be necessary, however, to leave some open space in which I can write the titles of the maps, arms of the country, and the scale of miles. Do not let this worry you, however, but follow the divisions which are most easy for you. In the case of maps so carefully drawn, it seems to me the larger the number, the better it will be. Forests, buildings, etc., may be but roughly marked. If you will give the size and exact location, I will take care that the emblematical figures are properly represented”; and he adds that “in order to make sure that the completed work is well done, I shall let you correct the plates one at a time.” Somewhat later Blaeu writes again that “I shall give especial attention to the engraving of the plates, printing lightly from them at first, in order that changes may be made before the final engraving is done.... Take as much time as you may need, and in case you are unable to finish them during the summer, you may also have the winter.” June 24, 1634, he writes to Schickard: “I have published the first part of my Atlas, containing one hundred and sixty maps, with descriptive text in German, translated from Latin. In the Fall I shall publish the Latin, French and Dutch texts,” these titles being, respectively, “Theatrum Orbis Terrarum,” but dated 1635; “Le théâtre du monde ou nouvel atlas,” but issued in 1634; “Toonneel des Aerdrycx,” 1634. The arrangement and number of maps in the several issues do not agree, but in the main features they are the same. The “Toonneel” may be considered an enlargement of his “Appendix” done in practically the same manner, but with the addition of numerous details, and ornamented with additional illustrations. That he borrowed from the “Nieuwen Atlas” of Joannes Janssonius and Henricus Hondius becomes evident in a comparison of the descriptions of “Germany,” the “Netherlands,” and of certain other parts.

The “Appendix” and the first two parts of the “Toonneel,” published by Willem Blaeu and his son John, may be regarded as the beginning of the large Blaeu Atlas first issued in 1662 in eleven volumes, a work of unsurpassed excellence; indeed, we may refer to it as the foremost atlas produced by the great Dutch atlas makers of the seventeenth century. Its completion and issue, after the death of the father, Willem, places it therefore without the scope of this sketch, yet as he had contributed so much to insure its success by his own early activities, a word of reference to it is here fitting. Editions of this work appeared in rapid succession in the Dutch, the French, the Latin and the Spanish language, the number of volumes being either nine, ten, eleven or twelve in each edition, varying otherwise but little in the essential features. As numerous copies of the work were printed in each edition, it is therefore not a publication which can be called rare even in this day. Most of these editions were printed from the superior type and copper plates of the Blaeu printing house, and on paper of fine quality; some were issued in costly bindings, having their maps, coat of arms and emblems of states and of royalty exquisitely colored. Copies of the atlas were especially prepared for rulers and for statesmen of renown. We are informed that to Admiral de Ruyter an especially fine copy was presented after the two days’ battle of 1666, and that in the name of the States General a copy bound in royal purple was presented to the Sultan Mohammed IV, with which he was so well pleased that he ordered its translation into the Turkish language.

* * * * *

In Blaeu’s day globes were held to be of the highest value as aids in the study of geography and astronomy.[28] Seamen engaged in transoceanic navigation counted on a terrestrial and a celestial globe as essential to a navigator’s complete outfit of instruments, and as Blaeu was especially desirous of making his scientific knowledge serve the cause of navigation, it was but natural that he should turn his attention to globe making.

Among those skilled in the art of globe construction in the late sixteenth and the early seventeenth century, the Low Countries could claim such distinguished men as Gerhardus Mercator, Jacobus [Florentius] van Langren and Arnoldus [Florentius] van Langren, father and son, Jodocus Hondius and Guilielmus Jans. Blaeu, and none of these was more skilful than the last named. Both for the number constructed and for the quality of the work, his globes are cartographical and astronomical treasures of the first value.

The oldest known terrestrial globe extant is that constructed by Martin Behaim of Nuremberg in the year in which Columbus made his first momentous voyage across the Atlantic.[29] It is a manuscript globe, that is, a ball covered with irregular strips of parchment on which the world map has been drawn by hand and elaborately colored. In the first decades of the sixteenth century, numerous globes were made either of copper on which the map was engraved, of wood, or of a composition on which an engraved or hand drawn map was pasted. Some of these globe maps, as for example that attributed to Martin Waldseemüller and supposed to have been drawn in the first decade of the sixteenth century, hence the oldest known of this character, were engraved and printed on gores or bi-angles, and were so fashioned mathematically that they would completely cover a ball when pasted over its surface,[30] but not until Mercator, in 1541, engraved and printed his famous globe gore map can such a method be said to have proved itself to be thoroughly practical. From this time on, with now and then a slight modification of the number of gores employed and of the method of fitting them on the ball near the poles, globes have been constructed in much the same manner as Mercator had constructed his first example. That he made many globes is very certain, yet it appears that all of these were long thought to have been destroyed, until about forty years ago, when a complete set of his gores was found, and at present no less than six others, either mounted or unmounted, can be located.[31] In 1551, Mercator prepared in the same manner a celestial globe map, all examples of which likewise had been thought to have disappeared until the discovery of the set referred to above, and of this globe a number of copies are now known to exist.

Quite as successful as Mercator were the van Langrens, father and son, the first globe of the father dating as early as 1585.[32] Before the close of the sixteenth century, Jodocus Hondius became interested in the construction of globes, and, like the van Langrens, continued his work in the first decade of the following century, his workshop then falling into the hands of his sons, who for many years found the manufacture of globes to be a profitable business.[33]

Blaeu, as before stated, must have obtained much of his early knowledge of map and of globe construction while a pupil of Tycho at the Castle of Uranienburg, for it was not long after his return to Amsterdam that we find him actively engaged in this work, perhaps in his own workshop.[34] His first globe is dated 1599. The world map here represented is, so far as we have definite knowledge, his first cartographical publication, and in many of its features it gives evidence that Mercator was the master followed, notably in the representation of the loxodrome lines which radiate from the wind or compass roses, or from the centers regularly placed on the surface of the globe. It has a diameter of 34 cm., which is less than that of Mercator’s globe of 1541 but greater than that of van Langren of 1585. The gores, twelve in number, have been cut seven degrees from each pole, the polar space being covered with a circular disc. Blaeu, as many other globe makers of his period, found that by thus dividing the engraved globe maps a more nearly perfect covering for the ball could be obtained. Meridians and parallels are drawn at intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian crossing the island of Santa Maria in the Azores group. In conspicuously placed legends he presents his address to the reader, that is, to the one who may have occasion to make use of his globe, a dedication to the United Provinces of the Netherlands, which, like the first, is signed Guilielmus Janssonius Alcmariensis, and in separate inscriptions he calls attention to the great discoveries and explorations as, for example, those of Christopher Columbus, of Amerigo Vespucci, of Ferdinand Magellan, of Gaspar Cortereal, and of the Dutch navigators, with a brief mention of others. All legends are in Latin except those referring to the discoveries of his own countrymen in the far north, in which he has employed the Dutch language.

As in the issue of his sheet maps, Blaeu was not always careful to add an exact date, in the majority of instances omitting the date altogether, so in the issue of his globes he either omitted the date or frequently gave one later than was that of the original issue. His geographical records serve us, however, as very accurate guides in the determination of dates, and what was so frequently true of the globes he constructed in the last years of his life was true of this, his first. We have, for example, one fine copy of his work, bearing date 1599, which contains geographical records of 1616, indicating, therefore, a late reprint with a few alterations.

Three years later, that is, in 1602, Blaeu issued a terrestrial and a celestial globe, each having a diameter of 23 cm. He refers to his terrestrial globe as an improvement upon that of 1599, referring doubtless to its geographical details and not to its size. He dedicates his work to the three provinces, Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland, calls especial attention to the recent expedition of Olivier van der Noort, the course of whose expedition around the world he lays down on his map, and signs himself Guilielmo Jansonio Blaeu, substituting his family name for the name of his birthplace. On his celestial globe of 1602 he located the stars in accord with the reckoning of the year 1600, making use, as he states, of the observations of his friend and teacher, Tycho Brahe, but for the southern constellations the observations of the explorer Fredrik Houtman.[35] By reason of the fact that so few copies of these globes of 1602 are known to exist, it has been thought that for some reason Blaeu issued a very limited number. We know, however, that his terrestrial globes were highly valued and much in demand, because of the care with which they had been prepared, because of his effort to give information concerning the latest discoveries, and because of his representation of the loxodrome lines which made them of special service to navigators; that his celestial globes found favor by reason of the fact that he was known to be a pupil and friend of Tycho Brahe; and that he himself was known to be a mathematician and astronomer of distinction.

In 1603, he undertook the preparation of a celestial globe to be considered a companion of his first globe of 1599. From the observations of Brahe and of Houtman he tells us as in his work of the preceding year, that he derived many of his details, and he honors the former by giving his portrait a conspicuous position in his map, adding his master’s favorite motto: “Non haberi, sed esse.”

The Hispanic Society of America possesses a fine example of Blaeu’s early globe work. It is small in size, having a diameter of 13 cm., and is well preserved. Near the upper part of North America is the legend inscribed in a neat cartouche, “NOVA et accurata Terra marisque Sphera, denuo recognita et, correcta á Guilielmo Blaeu,” and in a second legend placed to the south of “Nova Guinea,” which is represented as a part of the great south polar continent of “Magallanica,” he inscribes his name with date, “Guilielmus Blaeu Anno D. 1606.” There may likewise be found in this Society’s rich collections a terrestrial and a celestial globe by Blaeu which clearly are companion pieces and which appear to be unique, the latter dated 1616, the former undated.[36] These globes have a diameter of but 10 cm., a substantial and artistic mounting of brass, including meridian circle, horizon circle, four twisted support columns and a circular base plate. In geographical and astronomical details they are remarkably full, a fact especially noteworthy when their size is taken into consideration. The first he designates as “NOVA ORBIS TERRARVM DESCRIPTIO” and adds to this merely the name “Blaeu”; the second he calls a “Sphaera stellata,” and in a legend he honors his teacher Tycho Brahe by making special mention of his name, signing himself “Guilielmus Blaeu Auctor excudit 1616.” Fiorini refers to a Blaeu celestial globe in the Barberini Palace at Rome dated 1616, but his description of the same shows conclusively that it is very different from the one referred to above, and he appears to consider its map a print of later date, though perhaps in its main features it was originally engraved in the year designated.

The next dated and signed globes of Blaeu appear to be of the year 1622, numerous copies of which the author has been able to locate, but in which, however, slight variations appear. From this time until his death in the year 1638, our globe maker seems to have applied himself most diligently to this work, the globes of his later years being much larger than were those of his early years. This Society possesses a well preserved example of his 1622 terrestrial globe which has a diameter of 69 cm. Its map gives us excellent proof of Blaeu’s superior merit in this field. Its geographical details are most numerous, making it an object of great scientific value. Among the records of special interest, omitting for obvious reasons at this time any extended reference to the work, is the representation of Manhattan as an island, apparently the earliest on a dated map.

Vossius tells us that in addition to terrestrial and celestial globes, Blaeu also made a planetarium and a tellurium. In the first, the sun is placed in the center of the system, about which revolve Venus, the Earth and the Moon, Mars and Jupiter. The second represents the double motion of the Earth, that is, its daily rotation and its annual revolution. He remarks that nothing like it has been seen since the time of Archimedes. Blaeu himself refers to these instruments in his work first issued probably in 1620 with the title, “Tweevoudigh onderwys van de Hemelsche en Aerdsche Globen,” as of value for the study of cosmography. In connection with his description of them, he interestingly observes that the celestial heavens are at least 20,000 times greater in diameter than is the circle of the terrestrial globe’s course, and this in his planetarium is 2½ inches. He adds that the diameter of the terrestrial globe’s course is 1142 times the celestial globe’s diameter.

A very considerable number of his globes, doubtless constructed subsequent to 1622, can now be located, though at the time of writing his biography in 1872, Baudet could find trace of but five or six, including those of earlier date. In a searching study of the history of early globes, it may here be stated that the author of this monograph has now been able to locate no less than sixty Blaeu globes.

WORLD MAP OF 1605

Among the treasures of The Hispanic Society of America may be found a unique copy of Willem Janszoon Blaeu’s engraved World Map in two large hemispheres, issued in the year 1605. Stretching across its upper border is the title, “NOVA UNIVERSI TERRARUM ORBIS MAPPA EX OPTIMIS QUIBUSQUE GEOGRAPHICIS HYDROGRAPHICISQUE TABULIS SUMMÂ INDUSTRIÂ ACCURATISSIMÈ DELINEATA, DUOBUS PLANISPHERIIS GRAPHICÈ DEPICTA À GULIEL JANSSONIO ALCMAR,” a title which in its special arrangement and in the form of its letters strikingly recalls the World Map of Jodocus Hondius of the year 1611, which, with Professor Joseph Fischer, the editor of this World Map of Blaeu recently issued in facsimile.[37] Here is a second fine example of Holland’s contribution to the cartography of a period particularly rich in this field of geography. Mounted on the coarse linen so frequently used for such purposes at that early day, and attached to a rough wooden frame, it is not a little surprising that it should have come down to us through these many years. The old mounting has not been disturbed for this reproduction, and with all of its suggestions of age, it hangs on the walls of The Hispanic Society’s Museum amidst other rich cartographical material of the period.

No reference to this great work of Blaeu appears in the literature of cartography, and it seems probable that we have here the only copy extant. In the records of the States General of Amsterdam may be found, however, the entry, “23 April 1605. Is W. Jansz. [Blaeu] van Alcmaer, ende Herman Alartsz, die de heren Staten gepresenteert hebben een grote Werelts Caerte, voor een gratuiteyt toegelegt 25 gl.,” and of the same date, “Id. Is W. Jz. van Alcmaer, wonende te Amsterdam, geaccordeert octroy, voor den tyt van 6 jaren etc. te mogen doen drukken ende vuyt geven een groote mappam mundi in twee ronden, by hem yerst uitgegeven.” These passages are cited by Baudet in his “Leven en werken van Willem Jansz. Blaeu” without comment other than a very brief word which would seem to indicate that the author had no definite knowledge of the map or maps to which reference is made in the above record.[38] It is altogether probable that we have in these entries a reference to this particular map.

Curiously and somewhat vexatiously, one finds in the reference to the copyright privilege, granted by the authorities, appearing on sheet thirteen, the date “23 April ----,” the numbers designating the year wanting because of the injured condition of the map. Some wonder is occasioned by the appearance of the French lilies in the elaborately engraved cartouche on sheets thirteen and fourteen, and by the dedication to Henry IV of France, which reads, “Serenissimo Christianissimo ac potentissimo D. D. Henrico IIII Franciae et Navarre Regi. Domino suo ... entissimo hanc Universi orbis terrarum Mappam I. M. Q. dat di ... dedicat.” Close examination, however, discloses the fact that both the lilies and the dedication were skilfully pasted on the map after its completion, though by whom and on what particular occasion remain matters of conjecture. The attachment of the coat of arms and the dedication must have occurred before 1610, the date of King Henry’s death, and the fact serves at least to fix the time when the map was engraved as prior to that year, or in all probability in 1605.

The map is 244 × 134 cm. in size, including the border. The two large hemispheres, each 116 cm. in diameter, present the world, as then known, in stereographic projection. An ornamental border surrounds it, and all available space outside the great hemispheres and within this border is filled with pictures of cities, rulers in martial array, representations of the typical races of men, while in the angles formed at the top and at the bottom of the map, between the two hemispheres, appear the north and the south celestial hemispheres, each 26 cm. in diameter.

The map is not well preserved, a fact easily recognized in the reproduction. Certain parts, it will be noted, are entirely wanting, having fallen away from the old mounting, but there is little missing that is of the first importance excepting the northwest section of South America, the western Mediterranean lands and portions of the island region southeast of Asia. Though many of the names are illegible by reason of discoloration, it was thought inadvisable to attempt the cleaning of the surface on account of the brittle condition of the old paper. The eighteen sheets in the facsimile, corresponding to the eighteen sheets of the original, together with the key plate much reduced but showing the entire map, have been printed on a fine quality of Van Gelder hand-made paper. Care has been exercised to have each of the sheets appear in the reproduction as in the original, in so far as has been possible, no attempt being made to remedy defects.

Blaeu’s map may be considered a remarkably excellent record of geographical knowledge to date. Most of his striking errors in continental outlines are the common errors of the day. In the Old World, for example, Africa has a breadth of more than eighty degrees, and the east coast of Asia, particularly its northern half, is far from accurate, but he has given us a representation of the extreme northeast section which is superior to that laid down on the large world map of his fellow countryman Hondius. The latter clearly suited his representation to a belief in a perfectly open sea route to China and the distant Orient, showing a great breadth of sea between Asia and America in the region of Bering Strait, while Blaeu has here a fairly accurate record of the geographical features of the region, inserting the name “Streto de Anian.” The Mediterranean has much too great an extension in longitude, and is too narrow; the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea have each a strikingly erroneous representation as well as location. The great austral continental land called “Magallanica,” in the New World hemisphere, is that which so commonly appears in the world maps of the day. In the New World, North America is made to extend through more than one hundred and sixty degrees of longitude, while South America is given a breadth of more than sixty degrees, and its general outline is not well done, though there is here clearly an improvement over the maps of Mercator and of Ortelius. Blaeu has retained the erroneous representation of the “Martin Forbischers Strate” at the southern extremity of Greenland; he includes “Frislandia” south of “Islandia”; “I dos Demonios” east of “Terra de Labrador”; “Brasil” west of “Hibernia al Yrlandia,” “As Mann” to the southwest; “S. Brandan” near “C. d. Breton.” For the region north of Europe and Asia, the map is especially interesting, making record here of the latest attempts under Willem Barentszoen and other less distinguished explorers from Holland who undertook to find a northeast passage to China before 1605. That part of “Nova Zemla” which was visited is laid down, as are also “Nieuland” and “Beeren Eylandt,” the names of all places designated being in the Dutch language, though an extensive legend north of Nova Zemla, calling attention to the efforts of his countrymen to find a northeast passage, is given in Latin, as are all the more lengthy legends. A comparison of the maps of Hondius and Blaeu in this particular region is interesting, the latter preparing his map before the voyage of Henry Hudson, the former making record of Hudson’s attempt to sail through this Arctic sea and noting that he had discovered a great ice barrier, “Glacies ab Hudsono detect anno 1608.” Finding it impossible to make this passage, it will be recalled that Hudson decided to turn his expedition to the west and the northwest, reaching in due course of sailing the east coast of North America, which he explored in his two voyages from Hudson River to Hudson Bay, losing his life in this great northern sea, which bears his name, in the year 1611. Blaeu has inscribed numerous legends in the northern and northeastern sections of North America, calling attention in one of these to the expeditions of Columbus, Vespucci, Cortereal and Verrazano, in another to the expedition of Forbischer in 1577, and in yet another to the explorations of Davis in 1585, 1586, 1587. Numerous legends, it may here be noted, appear in different parts of the map, either descriptive of the region in which they respectively appear or calling attention to certain astronomical and geographical questions, as, for example, the lengthy legend on sheets fourteen-fifteen, sheet seventeen and sheet eighteen. In a map of this character one may say the particular scientific and historical value lies in the latest records it contains relative to exploration and discovery. Without giving here the numerous specific references to such events, or to their results as they relate to the expansion of geographical knowledge, it may be stated that Blaeu’s map is one of the richest of the period. His geographical names in the Old World alone extend into the thousands, and for the New World those both of coast and of interior are exceedingly numerous.

Blaeu has called especial attention to the four distinguished explorers who prior to the time of the issue of his map had circumnavigated the globe, placing their portraits in an elaborate cartouche south of South America and calling attention to their success in a somewhat elaborate legend. The four represented are “Ferdinandus Magallanes,” “Franciscus Dracus,” “Thomas Candish” and “Oliverus van der Nort,” the course of the latter being conspicuously traced on the map, his circumnavigation at this time attracting considerable attention, particularly in the Netherlands. The artistic adornment of Blaeu’s map is not its least attractive feature. Its elaborate border, so much of it at least as remains, there being evidence that at both top and bottom much has been cut away, alone gives it almost first place among the fine examples of copper engraving of the period. On the right and the left we find representations of “London,” “Hamburgh,” “Mexico,” “Cusco,” “Dantzik,” “Moskow,” “Bergen,” “Stockholm,” alternating with representations of typical people of the earth, such as “Groenlandi,” “Chilienses et Peruviani,” “Brasilienses,” “Moscovitae,” “Chinenses et Japonenses.” The “Rex Hispania,” “Imperator Romanorum,” “Imperator Turcarum” and “Rex Chinarum” appear in martial array and are given places of special prominence near the top of the map, while the “Rex Abissinorum,” “Rex Persearum,” “Magnus Cham Tartarorum” and “Magnus Dux Moscoviae” command in corresponding positions at the bottom. In his representations of the celestial hemispheres he gives special credit to Tycho Brahe and to Frederik Houtman for his information. Parallels and meridians are drawn at intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian passing through the islands of “S. Michiel” and “S. Maria.” Compass roses are numerous, two of these being especially conspicuous by reason of the fact that with them appear the Dutch names of the thirty-two compass points or directions, and the radiating lines serve as loxodrome lines. No less than thirty ships are represented sailing the oceans in all parts of the world, carrying either the pennant of Spain, of Portugal, of Holland or of England. A few of these are curiously interesting, there having been an attempt to fashion them after the manner of the countries to which they belong, as, for example, a Japanese vessel off the coast of Japan, “Navis qua Japonenses utuntur quae illis Champan dicitur,” and an open boat in the Pacific near the Strait of Magellan, “Huiusmodi navicularunt forma freti magellaniei accolis in usu est.” Sea monsters are numerous, and Neptune is represented in certain parts carrying either a trident, a pennant of Spain or one of Portugal. Blaeu has not omitted the representation of numerous land animals thought to be native to the regions in which they appear, as in Africa the lion, the tiger, the elephant, the camel, the ostrich, the crocodile; in South America the llama, the alpaca, the monkey, the armadillo, the parrot; in North America the bison, the opossum which is curiously fashioned, the fox and the bear.

Reference has been made to the striking similarity in arrangement and style of the descriptive titles of the Blaeu and the Hondius large World Maps. This similarity is further traceable literally in hundreds of details, forcing upon us the suggestion that Hondius borrowed extensively from Blaeu, since the map of the latter is of the earlier date. To but a few of the more striking evidences of borrowing, however, can attention here be directed. The fact is exceedingly interesting that many of the objects otherwise similarly drawn are reversed in position as represented on the maps. Blaeu turns the faces of his portraits of Magellan and Drake to their left, of Van der Noort and Candysch to their right; Hondius has reversed the position. Most of Blaeu’s ships sail in a direction opposite to that in which the ships of Hondius are made to sail, the location of the several ships being, however, practically the same on the two maps; the most ornamental compass roses are placed in identically the same positions; the dedications of the maps and the addresses to the reader are similarly placed in ornamental cartouches, which, however, in the details of their decorations differ slightly; each has a somewhat elaborate representation of the cannibals in eastern South America, but in their details the pictures are reversed. The line of the ecliptic passes south of the equator in the western hemisphere, and northward in the eastern hemisphere on the Blaeu map, and this Hondius has reversed; the position of Blaeu’s griffin and tiger in the heart of Africa has been reversed by Hondius. Not to extend such comparisons further, it may be stated that a study of the two maps with these similarities, even in minute details in view, can not fail to interest. May there not, therefore, have been good reason for Blaeu’s complaint expressed to the States General in 1608? In this, as before stated, he prayed for protection against those who were taking from his work without credit.

]

BIBLIOGRAPHY

AA, ABRAHAM JACOB VAN DER. Biographische woordenboek der Nederlanden. Haarlem, 1853. Vol. II, pp. 578-580.

ANONYMOUS. W. J. Blaeu’s Antheil an der Bestimmung der Erdlängen. (Das Ausland. November, 1875. Stuttgart, 1875. Vol. XLVIII, No. 44, pp. 865-867.)

ANONYMOUS. A Bibliographical Curiosity. (Chambers’s Edinburgh Journal. New Series. May 31, 1851. Edinburgh, W. & R. Chambers, 1851. Vol. XV, pp. 374-376.)

Notice of Blaeu’s Atlas, 12 vols., 1667.

BARENTSZOEN, WI. Nieuwe beschryvinghe ende Caertboeck vande Midlandtsche Zee waerin meercklick afgebeeld en beschreven worden alle custen vande Midlandsche Zee ... W. B. Amst., Corn. Claesz ... 1595.

BAUDET, P. J. H. Leven en werken van Willem Jansz. Blaeu. Uitgegeven door het Provincial Utrechtsch genootschap van kunsten en wetenschappen. XIII, 178 pp. Utrecht, C. van der Post, Jr., 1871.

---- Naschrift, 30 pp. 1872.

BAUDET, P. J. H. Notice sur la part prise par Willem Jansz. Blaeu (1571-1638) dans la determination des longitudes terrestres. Utrecht, K. A. Manssen, 1875.

BAUMGARTEN, JOHANNES. Zwei alte Globen von Blaeu. Erdkugel von 1599 und Himmel-Globis von 1603. (Das Ausland, 13. April, 1885. Stuttgart, 1885. No. 15, pp. 299-300.)

CLEMENT, DAVID. (Bibliothèque Curieuse. Göttingen, 1750-1760. Vol. IV, pp. 267-276.)

A bibliography of the Blaeu Atlases.

DOZY, CHARLES M. Willem Janszoon Blaeu. (Tijdschrift van het Nederlandsch aardrijkskundig genootschap, gevestigt te Amsterdam 1887. 2de Serie. Amsterdam, C. L. Brinkman, 1887. Vol. IV, pp. 206-215.)

FIORINI, MATTEO. Sfere terrestri e celesti di autore italiano oppure fatte o conservate in Italia. Roma, Presso la Società Geografica Italiana, 1898.

See especially pp. 229-262, for a reference to the globes of Blaeu.

FOPPENS, J. F. Bibliotéca Belgica. Brux., 1680. Vol. I, p. 582.

GÉNARD, PIERRE MARIE NICOLAS JEAN. Les globes de Guillaume Blaeu. (Société Geographie d’Anvers. Bulletin. 1883-84. Anvers, 1883. Tom. VIII, pp. 159-160.)

HUES, ROBERT. Tractatus de Globis. Londinum, 1594.

JONGE, DE, J. K. J. De opkomst van het Nederlandsch gezag in Oost-Indie. Verzameling van onuitgeg. stukken in het Oud-koloniale archief. Met Register I-XIII. Gravenhage, 1862-1909. 16 vols.

KÄSTNER, A. G. Geschichte der Mathematik seit der Wiederherstellung der Wissenschaften bis an das Ende des achtzehnten Jahrhunderts. Göttingen, 1796. 2 vols.

LÖWENBERG. Allgemeine deutsche Biographie. Leipzig, 1875. Vol. II, pp. 686-688.

LOWERY, WOODBURY. Descriptive List of Maps of Spanish Possessions in the United States, 1502-1820. Edited by Philip Lee Phillips. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1912.

See pp. 133-135 for valuable bibliographical references.

MAXWELL, SIR HERBERT EUSTACE. Rainy Days in a Library. New York, F. P. Harper, 1896, pp. 123-129.

A reference to Blaeu’s Atlas, 12 vols., ed. 1667.

MERCATOR, GER. Atlas sive cosmographicae meditationes de fabrica mundi et fabricati figura.... Duisburgi Cliviorum, 1595.

We are informed on the title-page that the first and second parts appeared in 1585 or 1586, the third in 1589, and the fourth in 1595.

MOXON, J. (_i.e._, W. BLAEU.) A Tutor to Astronomy and Geography, or the use of the Copernican Spheres. London, 1665.

ORTELIUS, A. Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Antverpiae, 1570.

PHILLIPS, PHILIP LEE. List of Geographical Atlases in the Library of Congress, with bibliographical notes. Compiled under the direction of Philip Lee Phillips. Washington, Government Printing Office, 1909. Vol. I, pp. 196-197.

See, for a list of Blaeu’s Atlases, taken from Tiele: Niederlandsche Bibliographie, 1884.

PICARD, M. Voyage d’Uranibourg, ou observations astronomiques faites en Dannemarck. (Mém. de l’Acad. Royale des Sciences de Paris depuis 1666 jusque à 1699, tom. VII.)

RAEMDONCK, J. VAN. Gérard Mercator, sa vie et ses œuvres. St. Nicholas, 1869.

STEVENSON, EDWARD LUTHER, PH.D., _and_ FISCHER, JOSEPH, S. J. Map of the World by Jodocus Hondius. Facsimile in eighteen sheets with text and key plate, issued under the joint auspices of The American Geographical Society and The Hispanic Society of America. New York, 1907.

STOWER, C. The Printer’s Grammar. London, 1808, pp. 303-304.

“T.” Erste uitgave van Blaeu’s Licht der Zeevaert. (Bibliographische Adversaria. Gravenhage, M. Nijhoff, 1883-86. Vol. V, pp. 293-295.)

TIELE, PIETER ANTON. Leven en werken van Willem Jansz. Blaeu, door P. J. Baudet ... 1871. (De Gids. 1872. Amsterdam, P. N. Van Kampen, 1872. Derde Serie, Vol. I, pp. 356-367.)

TIELE, PIETER ANTON. Nederlandsche Bibliographie van Land- en Volkenkunde. Amsterdam, 1884.

See for bibliography of works of Blaeu, Mercator, Ortelius, et al.

UFFENBACH, VON, ZACHARIAS CONRAD. Merkwürdige Reisen durch Nieder-Sachsen, Holland und Engelland. Ulm, 1753. Vol. III, p. 600 _et seq._

VOSSIUS, G. J. De Scientiis mathematicis. 1660. Pp. 199, 263.

Quoted by Baudet.

WAGHENAER, LUCAS JANSZ. Spieghel der Zeevaerdt van de navigatie der Westersche Zee. Leyden, 1584.

WAGHENAER, LUCAS JANSZ. Spieghel der Zeevaert inhoudende de geheele Noordtsche ende Oostersche Scheepvaert. Leyden, 1585.

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF BLAEU’S PRINCIPAL GEOGRAPHICAL PUBLICATIONS

Nova Universi Terrarum Orbis Mappa ex Optimis Quibusque Geographicis hydrographicisque Tabulis Summa Industria Accuratissime Delineata et Duobus Planisphaeriis Graphice Depicta à Guliel Janssonio Alcmar. Amsterdam, 1605.

It is this unique map which has been here reproduced.

Nieuw graetbouck, nae den ouden styl vuyt de aldercorrecste observaten van den vermaerden astronomo Tycho Brahe, gecalculeert ende gestelt op ten meridiaen deser Nederlanden.

Baudet finds that, from the octroi or patent, this was probably issued in 1605. There does not appear to be a copy of this work extant.

Le Flambeau de la navigation, monstrant la description et delineation de toutes les costes et havres de la Mer Occidentale, Septentrionale et Orientale ... Par Guilliaume Janszoon. Amst., Guill. Jansz ... 1619.

Het Licht der Zee-vaert daerinne claerlijck beschreven ende aufghebeeldet werden alle de custen ende havenen vande Westersche, Noordsche, Oostersche ende Middelandsche Zeën.... Door Willem Janszoon. Amst., ghedr. bij Willem Janszoon ... 1620.

Baudet finds that the first and second volumes of this work must have been issued first in 1608, there being a reference to the same in a resolution of the States General of that year.

Tweevoudigh onderwys van de Hemelsche en Aerdsche Globen; Het een na de meyning van Ptolemeus met een vasten Aerdkloot; het ander Na de natuerlycke stelling van N. Copernicus met een loopenden Aerdkloot. Beschreven door Willem Jz. Blaeu. En gevoeght na de Globen en Sphaeren by hem uytgeven.

Date of original issue is not known; between 1620 and 1669 there were five issues in Dutch, five in Latin, and three in French.

’T Derde deel van ’t Licht der Zeevaert, inhoudende de Beschryvinghe der Zee Custen van de Middelandtsche Zee. Byeenvergaedert ende in ’t licht ghebracht door Willem Janssen tot Amsterdam by Willem Jansz. op’t Water in de Vergulde Sonnewyser Anno 1621.

Baudet finds that the first issue of this was in 1618.

Zeespiegel, inhoudende een korte onderwysinghe in de konst der zeevaert, en beschryvinghe der seen en kusten van de Oostersche, Noordsche en Westersche schipvaert ... door Willem Jansz. Blaeuw ... Amsterdam, W. Jz. Blaeuw ... 1623.

Reissued by John Blaeu, corrected and enlarged, in 1650.

Tafelen van de declinatie der Sonne, ende der voornaemste vaste sterren Mitsgaders van ’t verscheyden gebruyck der Noordsterre Nieulycx, allen Zeevaerenden ten dienst, ghecalculeert door Willem Jansz. Blauw. t’ Amsterdam. By Willem Jansz. Blauw in de gulde Sonnewyser met Privilegie Anno 1625.

Appendix Theatri A. Ortelii et Atlantis G. Mercatoris continens tabulas geograph. diversarum orbis regionum nunc. prim. editas cum descriptionibus. Amst., apud Guilj. Blaeuw, 1631.

Het nieuwe Licht der zeevaert ofte havenwyser van de Oostersche, Noordsche en Westersche zeen. Amst., W. Jz. Blaeu ... 1634.

Toonneel des aerdrycx ofte nieuwe Atlas, dat is beschryving van all landen; nu nieulycx uytgegeven ... Amst., Guilj. et Joh. B., 1635.

Two parts, with third part added in 1642. June 24, 1634, Blaeu wrote to his friend Schickard: “I have published the first part of my atlas, containing 160 maps, with the description in German, translated from the Latin. Next fall, I shall publish the Latin, French and Dutch text.”

Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive Atlas novus, in quo tabulae et descriptiones omnium regionum ... Amst., Guil. et Joa. Blaeu, 1635. 2 vols.

A French edition was issued in 1638; a Latin, Dutch, French and German edition, in three volumes, in 1640; a Dutch edition in 1642; a fourth volume in Latin, Dutch, French and German in 1646; a six-volume edition in 1649-1655.

De groote Zee-spiegel. inhoudende een korte Onderswijsinge in de konst der zeevaert en eene beschrijvinge der seekusten van de Oostersche, Noordsche en Westersche schipvaert enz ... Door W. Jz. B. Niewelijcx ... verbetert en vermeerdert. Amst. Joan Blaeu ... 1655, 1658.

Atlas major sive Cosmographia Blaviana, qua solum, salum, coelum accuratissime describuntur. Amst., Joa. Blaeu, 1662. 11 vols.

A second edition of the first part in 1665.

Grooten Atlas oft Werelt-beschryving, in welcke ’t aertryck, de zee en hemel wordt vertoont en beschreven. Amst., J. B., 1664-1665. 9 vols.

Le grand Atlas ou Cosmographie Blaviane. 12 vols. Issued also in the Latin, the Dutch and the Spanish language.

Globes dated:

Terrestrial, 1599
Terrestrial, 1602
Celestial, 1602
Celestial, 1603
Terrestrial, 1606
Celestial, 1606
Celestial, 1616
Terrestrial, 1616
Terrestrial, 1622
Celestial, 1622

Globes undated are numerous. Blaeu’s name appears on his globes as Guilielmus Jansonius Alcmariensis, Guilielmus Jansonius Blaeu, Guilielmus Jansonius Alcmarianus, Guiljelmus Blaeuw, Guiljelmus Caesius.

No attempt has been made in the foregoing list to include a reference to all known editions.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] An exhaustive study of the life and work of Willem Janszoon Blaeu does not exist. One of great value and interest is that by Baudet, P. J. H. _Leven en werken van Willem Jansz. Blaeu, uitgegeven door het Provincial Utrechtsch genootschap van kunsten en wetenschappen. Utrecht, 1871._

The author acknowledges here his indebtedness to Baudet’s work for invaluable aid in the preparation of this brief biography.

[2] See illustration, p. 12. This, it will be noted, is a map signed “Insula Hvaena sive Venusia à Gviljelmo Blaev cum sum Tychone Astronomiae operam daret delineata.”

[3] See illustration, p. 30.

August 8, 1576, the corner-stone of the Castle of Uranienburg was laid with much ceremony, and the completion of the building was made possible through the generous contributions and patronage of Frederick II of Denmark. See, for a brief description, Wolf: _Geschichte der Astronomie, München, 1877, p. 277_; Picard, J. _Voyage d’Uranibourg, ou observations astronomiques faites en Dannemarck. (Mem. de l’Acad. royale des sciences depuis 1666 jusque à 1699, tom. VII, p. 197)_; Blaeu: _Atlas Major, vol. I, pp. 61-101_. Twelve illustrations of the Island of Hveen, and of the observatory of Uranienburg, with brief description, may here be found. These illustrations, it appears, were taken from Brahe: _Astronomiae instauratae mechanica. 1598._

[4] This great copper globe, which Picard describes as having a diameter of 4 feet 7 inches and 1 line, constructed in Augsburg under the direction of Paul Hainzel, appears to have been sent to Uranienburg about 1584. In the course of succeeding years more than one thousand stars were represented on its surface according to the observations of Tycho Brahe. In 1597 the great astronomer left Denmark to find a home in Prague, taking with him his astronomical instruments, including his celestial globe. After Brahe’s death in 1601, these instruments were purchased by Rudolph II, but on the capture of the City of Prague in 1623 by the Danish Prince Ulrich the globe with other objects of interest was taken to Copenhagen. Here it remained until 1728, when it was destroyed by fire together with the castle in which it had so long been kept.

[5] John Blaeu, son of Willem, tells us that in 1591 his father was amanuensis of Tycho Brahe. See Blaeu: _Atlas Major, 1662, vol. I, p. 63_.

[6] Given by Baudet, _p. 154_.

[7] On the title-page of many of the books published by Blaeu, as on many of the maps which he issued, appears the expression “Sub signo solarii deaurati.” Most of the works printed by Blaeu before 1619 have as his printer’s device a balance with a terrestrial globe in the right scale and a celestial globe in the left, the latter being represented as the heavier and having the word “Praestat” printed below it. In certain later publications this mark was replaced by an armillary sphere, at the left of which is an allegorical figure representing Time and on the right a figure representing Hercules with the inscription “Indefessus agendo.” See p. 59.

[8] See, for brief descriptions of Blaeu’s press, Stower, C. _Printer’s Grammar. London, 1808, pp. 303-304_; Hansard, _Typography: an historical sketch of the origin and progress of the art of printing. London, 1825, p. 550_; and especially Johnson, J., _Typographia, or the Printer’s Instructor. London, 1824, vol. II, pp. 500-551_. It is from this last named work that illustration p. 16 is taken.

[9] Filips von Zesen: _Beschreibung der Stadt Amsterdam, 1664, pp. 215-216_.

[10] John Blaeu’s oldest son Willem was at this time about one year old. If the statement by Zesen is correct, it perhaps points us to an interesting exhibition of parental pride.

[11] See Baudet, _p. 15_.

[12] See Baudet, _p. 14_.

[13] The report of this survey may be found in Snellius, W. _Eratosthenes Batavus, de terrae ambitus vera quantitate, a Willebrordi Snellio suscitatus_. _Lugd. Batav., 1617._

[14] Picard, J. _Ouvrages de mathematique. A la Haye, chez P. Gosse et J. Neaulme, 1731._

[15] This letter is quoted by Baudet, _pp. 172-174_.

[16] See Lelewel, J. _Geographie du Moyen Age, Bruxelles, 1852-1857, vol. II, p. 194._

[17] See De Jonge, J. K. J. _De opkomst van het Nederlandsch gezag in Oost-Indie, 1862-1909, vol. I, pp. 88-89._

[18] See Baudet, _p. 18_.

[19] See Baudet, _pp. 18-19_.

[20] Reference to Galileo and his attempts to solve the problems relative to the determination of longitude may be found in Kästner, A. G. _Geschichte der Mathematik, 1796, vol. IV, p. 207_; Galileo Galilei: _Opere, III, p. 142_; Baudet, _pp. 131-145_.

[21] See _Extract uit de Resol. der Staten van Holland en West-Vriesland, 5 Aug., 1608_, given by Baudet, _pp. 156-158_.

[22] See p. 58 for specific reference to some of the many striking similarities, which seem to give conclusive evidence that Hondius borrowed from Blaeu.

[23] See Baudet, P. J. H. _Naschrift op. Leven en werken van W. Jz. Blaeu, pp. 15-18._

[24] The inscriptions in the original Dutch are given by Baudet: _Naschrift, pp. 16-17_.

[25] An extract from the Resolution is given by Baudet, _p. 156_.

[26] Baudet says: “I am unable to determine whether the _World Map_ of 1605 and the _Mappa Mundi_, in two hemispheres, of that year, as referred to in the resolution of the States General, are the same. I believe, however, that the _World Map_ is the ‘Nova totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula, auct. Guiljelmo Blaeuw,’ drawn according to Mercator’s projection, to be found in the ‘Toonneel des Aerdrycx.’ It is not dated, but apparently was printed from a plate which had been used in 1606, though improved somewhat, but from it the date had been erased, which however, according to Lelewel, is slightly visible “on some copies.” See Baudet, _pp. 85-86_. The “Nova totius terrarum” is reproduced, _p. 52_.

[27] See Baudet, _pp. 96-98_, for extracts from his letters to Schickard.

[28] See Fiorini, Matteo. _Sfere Terrestri e Celesti di autore Italiano oppure fatte o conservate in Italia_. _Roma, Presso la Società Geografica Italiana, 1898_; Günther, Sigmund. _Erd- und Himmelsgloben, ihre Geschichte und Konstruktion, nach dem Italienischen Matteo Fiorinis frei bearbeitet. Leipzig, 1895._

[29] Ravenstein, E. G. _Martin Behaim; his life and his globe._ _London, George Philip Son, Ltd., 1908._ Contains a facsimile of the globe printed on four sheets.

[30] Fischer, Jos. S. J. and Wieser, Prof. Franz V. _The Oldest Map with the name America of the year 1507 and the Carta Marina of the year 1516 by M. Waldseemüller (Ilacomilus), Innsbruck, 1903. See p. 14._

[31] Van Raemdonck, D. J. _Les sphères terrestre et céleste de Gérard Mercator [1541-1551]. Notice publiée à l’occasion de la reproduction de ses sphères à l’aide de facsimile de leurs fuseaux originaux, gravés par Mercator et conservés à la Bibliothèque Royale à Bruxelles. Saint-Nicolas, 1875._

[32] Fiorini, _op. cit._, _pp. 192-199_.

[33] Fiorini, _op. cit._, _pp. 262-272_.

[34] Fiorini, _op. cit._, _pp. 229-262._

[35] Fredrik Houtman, astronomer and navigator, sailed with his brother Cornelius Houtman to the East Indies in the years 1599 and 1600.

[36] Baudet quotes an interesting resolution of the States General, dated December 10, 1616: “Opte requeste van Willem Jansz., haere Ho. Mo. gedediceert hebbende eenen aertscloot van grooter formen, inhoudende die deelen des aertsbodens, die tot dese tyden toe ontdeckt ende bekent gemaect syn, mitsgaders eene hemelsche sphera van gelyche groote, is den suppliant voor deselve dedicatie toegeleet vyftich guldens eens.” _See p. 156._

[37] Stevenson, Edward Luther, Ph.D., and Fischer, Joseph, S. J. _Map of the World by Jodocus Hondius, Facsimile in eighteen sheets with text and key plate, issued under the joint auspices of The American Geographical Society and The Hispanic Society of America, New York, 1907._

[38] See note, p. 39.

Transcriber's Notes:

On pages 48 and 51 the assumed abbreviation symbol for ‘que’ has been
replaced with ‘que’.

Italics are shown thus: _sloping_.

Variations in spelling and hyphenation are retained.

Perceived typographical errors have been changed.