Tabula
Islandiae
50 cm x 38 cm copperplate
engraving, 65 cm x 56 cm sheet size, original hand colour, Amsterdam,
engraved circa 1631, printed 1664
We
are pleased to offer this scarce and wonderfully decorative original
map of Iceland (Van der Krogt 1250:2.2) compiled by Willem
Blaeu (1571-1638) who with his son Joan Blaeu (1599-1673)
together established in Amsterdam the foremost cartographic
firm of the
17th century and set the tone for the Golden Age of Dutch mapmaking. With the Hondius-Jansson
firm publishing an absolutely identical map (even down to the
decorative elements) this became the definitive map of Iceland
throughout the 17th century. The cartography is based on a map
drawn by the
Dutch navigator Joris
Carolus (1566-1636) in the
1620s which was in turn based on the famous 16th century map of Iceland by the
scholar and
Bishop Gudbrandur
Thorláksson
(1541-1627). This example is from the 1664 Dutch edition of the
Blaeu firm's unsurpassed Atlas Maior. A much sought-after
and
iconic 17th century map,
this well preserved example will make an elegant presentation if matted
and framed.

We
begin our survey of the map with the charming title cartouche which
credits Carolus with the cartography. Beneath
one of two handsome compass roses with radiating rhumb lines that are
featured on the map, winged water nymphs empty urns from a bed of
vegetation above a garlanded and strapwork frame while a sea monster surfaces nearby:

Turning to the map itself, we see Mount Hekla in full
eruption and Skálholt
shown as an episcopal see - the first bishopric in Iceland was founded
there in 1056. A notation at lower right refers to white falcons
being found in the region - presumably the gyrfalcon. Meanwhile, a ship and sea monster appear
below the Vestmannaeyjar
Islands, where Keiko
of Free Willy fame was gradually reacclimated to the wild. Map of course long predates any
establishment at Reykjavík which did not receive its charter until
1786, but settlements are shown at "Keplawick" (Keflavik) and
"Hanefiord" is shown for Hafnarfjördur:

Note the "Gouberman"
islands to the west of Ísafjardardjúp - these are
the
legendary (and presumably non-existent) Gunnbjarnar Islands said to be
discovered by Eirikr Thorvaldsson ("Erik the Red" and father of Leif
Eriksson) in the tenth century:

Turning to the north, we
find Hólar,
where a bishopric was established in 1106. Note the pictorial
depiction of mountains rising from the many fjords:

Far northeast with rugged topography - both
the horizontal engraved lines for littoral waters and the pictorial
chains of mountains and fjords give the map a distinct "three
dimensional" appearance:

Mileage scale with sea monster "bookends" and
armillary sphere:

The extensive Dutch text on verso, assembled
by the Blaeus
from a number of sources is a fascinating document in and of
itself. We are present representative excerpts in a
contemporary translation
below:

Iceland is the greatest of all those Islands
in the Western Ocean which are subject to the Kings of Norway; it takes
this name from the cold, wherewith it is partly frozen... The most do
suppose this to be that Thule mentioned by the Ancients, which also
Ptolemy doth call Thule, which he placeth in the 30 Degree of Latitude
and 63 of Longitude. Solinus placeth it five days and nights sail
from the Orcades. An Island the most famous of all other with
Poets, when by this, as being the farthest part of the World, they
would intimate anything far distant..
The inhabitants live, eat and lodge in the same houses with their
cattle. They live in a holy simplicity, seeking nothing more than
what Nature grants them, for the Mountaines are their Townes and the
Fountaines their delight. Yet the English and Danish merchants do
trouble their quite, not suffering them to be content with their own,
for they frequent this island to bring away fish from thence and have
brought among them their vices together with their wares...
In Iceland there are three very high Mountaines whose tops are always
white with continual snow, while the bottoms do burn with continual
Fire. Not far from Hecla there are mines of Brimstone which is
the only commodity of traffic that belongs to the inhabitants of
Iceland, for merchants do freight and load their ships with it...

Condition
- Please note carefully:
The map is in excellent condition as can be ascertained from photos,
strong impression with distinct platemark on fine laid paper, image
area essentially pristine, original hand colour bright and vivid,
exceptionally wide, full margins as issued. Map exhibits a more or less vertical
crease in top margin to the right of centrefold that terminates at the
edge of the neatline. There is also some minor "rollover" of
centrefold which can be mitigated by a skilled conservation framer,
some trivial
soiling in left margin extremities, trivial agetoning to margin edges,
remnants of old acid-free hinge mount in corners on verso. In all
an exceptionally well preserved example of a classic map that will make
a superb presentation if matted and framed.
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"Some
to beautify their halls, parlours and chambers... liketh, loveth,
getteth, and useth maps, charts, and geographical globes" - John Dee
(1527-1608)
"...Maps begin as dreams, pass
through a finite life in the world, and resume as dreams again..," -
Thomas Pynchon

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