- Title: Wallia Principatus Vulgo Wales
- Author: Joan Blaeu
- Date: c.1645
- Medium: Hand-colored copperplate engraving
- Condition: Excellent
- Inches: 19 1/2 x 15 1/4 [Image]
- Centimeters: 49.53 x 38.74 [Image]
- Product ID: 224002
Map of Wales by Joan Blaeu with both the formal and common names of the counties therein.
Serenissimo Domino Carolo Magnae Britanniae, etc. Principi. Ioh. Blaeu.
"Charles, Serene Lord of Great Britain, etc. Prince. Joan Blaeu."
The Blaeu family firm was founded by Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) in 1596. Willem Blaeu studied under the eccentric genius Tycho Brahe before the establishing his eponymous firm. Willem was eventually joined by his sons, Cornelis (1616-1648) and Joannnes (1596-1673).
The firm became the most productive cartographic establishment in the Netherlands with the elder Blaeu son initiating the great series of atlases culminating in the Atlas Maior, into which Joannes Blaeu incorporated much of the geographical knowledge bequeathed to him by his father. Both Willem and Joannes were appointed chart-maker to the East India Company (VOC), giving them privileged and jealously guarded source material to incorporate into their works.
One of the most famous 16th century publishers of maps, globes and atlases, the family flourished in Amsterdam for more than 40 years until fire destroyed their premises on the Gravenstraat in 1672. With the loss of all equipment, plates and stock, the family never fully recovered.