- Title: Nieuwe wassende zee caart van de Noord-Oceaen...
- Author: Johannes van Keulen II
- Date: 1745
- Condition: See description
- Inches: 39 1/4 x 28 [Image]
- Centimeters: 99.69 x 71.12 [Image]
- Product ID: 308328
Unobtainable Chart of the North Atlantic from the Dominant Chartmaker of the Day
The present map is almost unknown in public and private collections. Covers the entire North Atlantic from 48° to 73° north, centered at 63° north. Excellent coastal detail showing littoral North America from Cape Bedford (the eastern edge of Baffin Island) to the northern edge of the Grand Bank. At the entrance to the Hudson Straight, Resolution Island is called Goed Fortuyn. The Gulf of St. Lawrence with extensive detail, Price Edward Island identified as I. Natilkotes.
Greenland is given interesting treatment. Two apocryphal straits bisect the southern tip of Greenland, and while the west coast is well mapped to 73°, the eastern coast above 72° 30’ is uncharted, likely due to the hazards of the Groote Ysbergen identified. Iceland is given serious consideration, and the northern reaches of Europe are only glanced at with a sliver of Norway’s west coast. Great Britain, the English Channel and the west coast of Holland, Belgium, and France all come in for detailed treatment.
Typical of a sea chart with this level of detail, numerous anchorages, shallow depths, rocky approaches, and other maritime hazards are identified.
A bar scale at the top is used to represent distance changes across the map at these far northern latitudes, cleverly illustrating the unavoidable distortion. Three compass roses adorn the map along with a pair of cartouches featuring Poseidon and Mercury consorting in the smaller, and the larger title cartouche sporting chartmaker’s, navigation, and maritime elements in a Baroque surround.
The Dominance of van Keulen Chartmaking
The van Keulen family played a crucial role in Dutch maritime cartography, particularly through their relationship with the Dutch East India Company (VOC). This connection spanned several generations and significantly influenced the development of nautical charts and atlases.
The Nieuwe Lichtende Zee-Fakkel (New Shining Sea Torch) atlas series by the van Keulen family included charts of various regions. The Zee-Fakkel was first published in 1681-82 and continued to be updated and reprinted for over a century. The Zee-Fakkel was renowned for its comprehensive coverage of global maritime regions, and was produced in multiple languages to serve a wide audience of mariners
Johannes van Keulen II (1704-1755) was appointed as the official chartmaker for the VOC in 1743. This appointment formalized a long-standing relationship between the van Keulen family and the company. In 1753, Johannes II published the sixth volume (the “secret atlas”) of the Zee-Fakkel, which was a groundbreaking work containing charts for navigation covering the waters from the Cape of Good Hope to Nagasaki26.
The van Keulen family's work with the VOC resulted in sea charts of superior engraving quality and craftsmanship, surpassing earlier printed sea charts. These charts, especially those from the "secret atlas," are now considered among the rarest and most desirable for collectors due to their historical significance and the restricted nature of their original use.
The van Keulen family continued to hold the title of official chartmaker for the VOC until the company's dissolution in 1799, cementing their place in the history of Dutch maritime cartography and their crucial role in the VOC's operations.
Condition
Trimmed to neatline, uniformly age toned. Previously folded, the map has staining and some minute loss at the lower third, along an old fold. In all a delightfully detailed fine map of the North Atlantic Ocean.
Rarity
One institutional example, University of Utrecht, no private copies on RBH or in dealer catalogues.
Not in Atlantes Neerlandici.
A predecessor chart by Gerard van Keulen, Nieuwe Wassende Graeden Kaert van de Noord Occiaen van Hitland tot inde Straet Davids, Seer dienstig voor de Straet, c. 1726 shows a smaller portion of the Atlantic Ocean and is found in both Atlantes Neerlandici and dealer catalogues.
