- Title: Nieuwe Wassende Graaden Paskaart Vertoonende...
- Author: Gerard van Keulen
- Date: 1728
- Condition: See description
- Inches: 23 1/4 x 39 1/2 [Image]
- Centimeters: 59.05 x 100.33 [Image]
- Product ID: 308330
Gerard van Keulen’s Scarce and Finest World Map
A very scarce and beautiful chart of the world. Beginning in the late seventeenth century, the house of van Keulen published the largest and finest sea atlases in Holland. Curiously, the firm frequently used world maps acquired from other publishers in their atlases, the Zee-Atlas and Zee-Fakkel. Koeman lists only three world maps with a Van Keulen imprint published during their 145 year history.
This example bears the name of Gerard Van Keulen, chief hydrographer from 1714 to the Dutch East India Company (VOC), replacing his father’s 1682 map with a similar title (see Shirley, #511). Both are charts on Mercator’s Projection, thus more useful for navigation than the hemispheric world maps that were usually included in the atlases. This later chart, which according to Koeman was added to the Zee-Fakkel in 1728, is greatly improved and updated.
The earlier chart had shown only coastal detail, but this example is rich in interior detail, including a well-formed depiction of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River. Fort de Creveceur is shown near the Illinois River. California is an island, somewhat surprisingly given the other innovations on the map. The east coast of Siberia has been redrawn after Nicolas Witsen’s 1687 map of Tartary. A great “Compagnies Land” has been added off the northwest coast of America, constituting a bold claim for Dutch control over a vast territory that would be proven later simply not to exist.
This is also one of the most richly decorative maps of the Van Keulen firm, boasting a beautiful allegorical title cartouche with personifications of the continents as well as a variety of flora and fauna. A secondary cartouche emphasizes the nautical nature of the map, peopling a stormy sea with Poseidon and his nymphs.
References: Koeman, Atlantes Neerlandici, Volume IV, pp. 319 & 370, Keu 44.
Background on the Keulen Family Firm
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 Keulen’s became one of the most successful publishing firms in Amsterdam, producing "the largest and finest marine atlases in Holland" (Koeman), a dynasty which lasted more than 140 years.
Reference
Atlantes Neerlandici, Koeman, Vol. IV, 1970, p. 370
Condition Description
Printed on contemporary double sheets of paper, original folds with creasing, dust soiled. Bold inking in land masses, some fainter inking around sailing ships in southern oceans and title cartouche. Very fine.
