- Title: Yslandt in Het Groot...
- Author: Johannes van Keulen II
- Date: c.1753
- Condition: See description
- Inches: 20 x 22 1/2 [Image]
- Centimeters: 50.8 x 57.15 [Image]
- Product ID: 308329
Rare Chart of Iceland
The present map is almost unknown in public and private collections. Printed around 1753, this scarce original chart of Iceland was published by the renowned Amsterdam map and chart publishing dynasty founded by Johannes van Keulen.
YSLANDT IN HET GROOT.. is from the so-called Secret Atlas of the Dutch East India Company ( VOC) which was in Part VI of the Zee-Fakkel, published Johannes van Keulen II from 1753. By keeping these charts secret, the best available navigational information and coastal details would remain proprietary. Therefore the Secret Atlas was never offered for sale to the public and only issued to the VOC ships, with explicit instructions that the charts had to be returned at the completion of the voyage. The chart, partially dated Anno 17, is most likely made in 1753 or some time soon after.
This chart replaced an earlier map of Iceland titled Het Eylandt Ysland in‘t Groot… by Johannes‘ son Gerard van Keulen (1678 – 1726) that was based on the Joris Carolus map, published in the early 1720s for the Zee-Fakkel.
The title cartouche in the lower left corner mentions as authors Ioannes van Keulen & Zoonen which indicates that Johannes II’s sons were already involved. Two distance scales are included. In the ocean there are rhumb lines, and depth numbers, particularly off the Westfjords and the Eastfjords. Between the Westman Islands and the south coast of Iceland is a warning illustrated by crosses, Hier kan men niet door (here you cannot get through).
There are only a few toponyms along or near the coastline of Iceland. In the interior of the country the bishoprics Skalholt and Holar are depicted with a big and and a smaller triform cathedral, and surprisingly a third one in the east, Asmar of Holmar. Eerupting volcano Hekla is incorrectly placed near the south coast and Bestad (Bessastadir), now the official residence of the President of Iceland, near the east coast. The accurate location of the island Grimsey off the north coast is incorrectly depicted vertically. The only glacier on the map is Snaefellsjökull (Snebels hökel af Jochuls Berg) at the west coast. Typical of a sea chart with this level of detail, numerous anchorages, shallow depths, rocky approaches, and other maritime hazards are identified.
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 top and bottom with narrow margins left and right. Uniformly age toned. Previously folded. Very fine.
Reference
Atlantes Neerlandici, Koeman, Vol. IV, 1970, p. 395
Rarity
The chart is extremely scarce. One institutional holding in the OCLC database, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, one example in the National and University Library of Iceland, one in the Schulte collection, as well as two dealer offerings in the past twenty years.
