Bidspirit auction | Blaeu & Chatelain - Pair

Blaeu & Chatelain - Pair of Maps of Moscow, Russia - Description for Blaeu: This historic map is from a composite atlas. It is from Willem Janszoon Blaeu & Joan (Johannes) Blaeu and published in Amsterdam between the 1640s and 1660s. Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638), Jan’s father, founded the famous Blaeu cartographic firm in Amsterdam. He studied astronomy and science under Tycho Brahe. He established a globe and instrument making business in 1599 which soon expanded into cartography publishing. It became one of the most important publishing firms in the world that was also later run by his sons Cornelis and Jan. Their maps are noted for their fine engraving process, coloring, and design and are often referred to as “the highest expression of Dutch cartographical art.” He also served as the official cartagropher for the Dutch East India Company in 1630. Joan (Johannes) Blaeu (1596-1673) began the publication of the Nuevo Atlas in 1659 and would eventually change the title to Atlas Mayor. It was to be his most famous atlas, and was meant to include up to 13 volumes, but only 10 volumes were ever completed as his printing house was destroyed by fire. He was also noted for the publication of the atlas Theatrum orbis Terrarum. Provenance: Coat-of-arms bookplate of the Austrian-Bohemian noble family von Harrach Description for Chatelain: This originally hand-colored engraving is from Henri Abraham Chatelain's Atlas Historique . The work was published by the author in Amsterdam between 1718 and 1720. The text was compiled by Gueudeville & Garillon. The maps were completed by Chatelain with some influenced by Guillaume de l'Isle's work. The work was published in several editions with the second edition the first to include additional maps not found in the first including a map of the world, Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa. These engravings come from mixed editions. Those from volumes 5 to 7 are first edition. The engravings from volumes 1 to 4 are from early ediitons. Atlas Historique was a highly ambitious and groundbreaking work covering genealogy, cosmography, topography, heraldry, and chronology. It was intended for the general public and the increased fascination with the recently conquered colonies and the new discoveries. Chatelain's maps are an outstanding example of the golden age of French mapmaking. Paper Size: Blaeu ~ 22” by 17 7/8” (Fold Out); Chatelain ~ 19 5/8” by 17 1/2” (Fold Out) Paper Type or Special Features: Engraving Engraving with Original Hand-coloring