Surria vernacule Surrey by Johannes Blaeu

Code: 54247

Date: Circa 1648

Long title: Surria vernacule Surrey.   Copper engraving with original and, possibly, some later hand colouring .  Overall size : 61.3cms x 50.6cms.  Engraved size : 498mm x 380mm.   Blank verso. Some edge tears
to left margin edge  and repair top of centrefold on verso ; faint crease to right of centrefold else good condition.

  "As with all productions of the firm of Blaeu, the engraving and layout are all of the highest standard." Rodney Shirley.

Johannes, Blaeu (1596-1673) was the son of Willem Janszoon Blaeu.  Although originally trained as a lawyer, Johannes joined the family firm and, with his brother Cornelis  took over his father’s business in 1638 . Joannes took on his father’s work as hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company.  He produced many outstanding maps including Nova et Accuratissima Terrarum Orbis Tabula, a world map to commemorate the Peace of Westphalia which brought news of Abel Tasman’s voyages in the Pacific to the eyes of Europe.

Joannes also  greatly enlarged his father’s Atlas Novus, first published in 1635.   At the same time Johannes  was working on his own atlas.  He published the Atlas Maior between 1662 and 1672. It is one of the most prized atlases  ever produced due to the attention to the detail, quality, and beauty of the maps.  He also produced wall maps and some town plans. All this creativity and commerce ceased in 1672, when a fire completely destroyed his workshop and stock. Joannes Blaeu died a year later and is buried in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.