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Rare proof state of Blaeu's map of the central portion of Italy, from the 1633 edition of his Atlas Novus. Includes sailing ships, sea monster and other decorative embellishments. Fine dark impression and wide clean margins.
The proof state can be distinguished from later states by the lack of rhumb lines and compass rose in the upper right section of the map and the lack of the 4 sailing ships embellishing the final state of the map.
Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638) was a prominent Dutch geographer and publisher. Born the son of a herring merchant, Blaeu chose not fish but mathematics and astronomy for his focus. He studied with the famous Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe, with whom he honed his instrument and globe making skills. Blaeu set up shop in Amsterdam, where he sold instruments and globes, published maps, and edited the works of intellectuals like Descartes and Hugo Grotius. In 1635, he released his atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive, Atlas novus.
Willem died in 1638. He had two sons, Cornelis (1610-1648) and Joan (1596-1673). Joan trained as a lawyer, but joined his father’s business rather than practice. After his father’s death, the brothers took over their father’s shop and Joan took on his work as hydrographer to the Dutch East India Company. Later in life, Joan would modify and greatly expand his father’s Atlas novus, eventually releasing his masterpiece, the Atlas maior, between 1662 and 1672.
![[ Italy - Wall Map - Rare Variant ] Gran Carta D' Italia - Pubblicata Da Giuseppe Civelli De Milano - Edizione Metagrafica per Fedinando Angemnillon](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/101467.jpg)
