An Enduring Work of Historical Importance
Nice example of this important historical atlas, which was first published in 1624 by Philipp Clüver.
This edition is an early milestone in the history of Clüver, published in Amsterdam by Janssonius (Jan Jansson) and including for the first time a number of modern maps from the Janssonius editions of the Mercator Atlas Minor.
Published posthumously, Philipp Cluver’s most important work cemented his legacy as a pioneering figure in historical geography. During his time as a soldier, Cluver traveled extensively across Europe, visiting Germany, England, Scotland, Holland, and Italy. A year after his return to Leiden, he was appointed geographus academicus ("academic geographer") with an annual stipend, marking the beginning of his significant contributions to the field of geography.
Cluver's approach to geography was deeply intertwined with history and classical authors, a method popular during the Enlightenment era. Antiquarian geography sought to clarify place names known from classical literature, which had become geographically confused by the Renaissance. Cluver's extensive travels and local observations enriched his work, allowing him to supplement classical literary sources with firsthand knowledge. His concise descriptions of various countries provided a robust human and historical context, establishing Cluver as the founder of historical geography.
The main text of Cluver’s work offers a comprehensive description of all the countries of the world, including a notable section on the Americas. The first edition, published in 1624, did not include maps, but later editions featured impressive, engraved maps of Italy, Africa, Russia, China, India, and America. Notably, the map of America in this edition shows California attached to the continent, in contrast to its depiction as an island in later editions. Many of these maps were etched by the renowned cartographer Petrus Bertius. The addition of a number of modern maps allows for a comparison of ancient and modern geographical knowledge which is not present in most editions of Cluver's Introductionis.
Cluver's work was highly regarded by his contemporaries, with twenty editions published in multiple languages between 1624 and 1729, including two additional editions in 1661. The Introductionis remained a standard reference through the mid-17th century, underscoring its enduring impact on the field of geography.
There were two editions of the Introductionis in Universam Geographiam published in 1661. The second was printed by Elsevier's press in Amsterdam, and was much smaller in size, with smaller maps and only 38 maps in total.
Provenance: Nathaniel Seymour Thomas (1867-1937) (his bookplate), second bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming (1909-1927). The Reverend Thomas's library was sold at Anderson Galleries, January 30, 1929.
Jan Janssonius (also known as Johann or Jan Jansson or Janszoon) (1588-1664) was a renowned geographer and publisher of the seventeenth century, when the Dutch dominated map publishing in Europe. Born in Arnhem, Jan was first exposed to the trade via his father, who was also a bookseller and publisher. In 1612, Jan married the daughter of Jodocus Hondius, who was also a prominent mapmaker and seller. Jonssonius’ first maps date from 1616.
In the 1630s, Janssonius worked with his brother-in-law, Henricus Hondius. Their most successful venture was to reissue the Mercator-Hondius atlas. Jodocus Hondius had acquired the plates to the Mercator atlas, first published in 1595, and added 36 additional maps. After Hondius died in 1612, Henricus took over publication; Janssonius joined the venture in 1633. Eventually, the atlas was renamed the Atlas Novus and then the Atlas Major, by which time it had expanded to eleven volumes. Janssonius is also well known for his volume of English county maps, published in 1646.
Janssonius died in Amsterdam in 1664. His son-in-law, Johannes van Waesbergen, took over his business. Eventually, many of Janssonius’ plates were sold to Gerard Valck and Pieter Schenk, who added their names and continued to reissue the maps.
Philipp Clüver (also spelled Klüwer, Cluwer, or Cluvier, Latinized as Philippus Cluverius and Philippi Cluverii) was an Early Modern German geographer and historian who made significant contributions to the field of historical geography.
Clüver was born in Danzig (Gdańsk), in Royal Prussia, a province of the Kingdom of Poland. He initially spent time at the Polish court of Sigismund III Vasa before commencing the study of law at the University of Leiden in the Dutch Republic. However, he soon shifted his focus to history and geography under the influence of Joseph Scaliger. Clüver's father, who was a Münzmeister (coin master) in Danzig, provided him with a scientific education but ceased financial support when Clüver diverged from his initial studies.
Clüver’s travels took him across Hungary to Bohemia, where he engaged in military service for a few years. During his time in Bohemia, he translated a defense of Baron Popel Lobkowitz into Latin, an act that nearly led to imperial sanctions upon his return to Leiden. With the support of his friends at Leiden, he managed to avoid these sanctions.
Clüver also journeyed on foot through England, Scotland, and France before settling back in Leiden. After 1616, he received a regular pension from the university and was appointed as a geographer, tasked with overseeing the university's library.
Philipp Clüver was renowned as an antiquary and geographer, gaining recognition for his general study of the geography of Antiquity. His approach combined classical literary sources with empirical knowledge from his extensive travels and local inspections, laying the groundwork for the field of historical geography.
His first significant work in 1611, Commentarius de tribus Rheni alveis, et ostiis; item. De Quinque populis quondam accolis; scilicet de Toxandris, Batavis, Caninefatibus, Frisiis, ac Marsacis, focused on the lower reaches of the Rhine and its inhabitants during Roman times, striking a chord with the Dutch during their struggle for independence. His Germaniae Antiquae Libri Tres (1616) drew upon Tacitus and other Latin authors to explore ancient Germany. Sicilia Antiqua (1619), which included notes on Sardinia and Corsica, became a valuable resource with references from ancient writers and detailed maps. His Introductio in Universam Geographiam, published posthumously from 1624, became the first comprehensive modern geography and a standard textbook in the field.
Clüver was also known for his contributions to mathematical and theological writings and is remembered by cartography enthusiasts for his edition of Ptolemy's Geographia and his miniature atlases. His major works include:
- Introductio in Universam Geographiam (1624-29, posthumous)
- Commentarius de tribus Rheni alveis, et ostiis; item. De Quinque populis quondam accolis; scilicet de Toxandris, Batavis, Caninefatibus, Frisiis, ac Marsacis (1611)
- Germaniae Antiquae Libri Tres (1616)
- Siciliae Antiquae Libri Duo (1619)
- Sardinia et Corsica Antiqua (1619)
- Italia Antiqua (1624, posthumous)
Of these works, his Introductio in Universam Geographiam would continue to be published well into the 18th Century in a number of editions.