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Description

An Early Example of Hessel Gerritsz's Map of Venezuela

Detailed map of Venezuela, extending to the mouth of the Orinoco River.

Gerritsz' map of Venezuela served as a model for other cartographers throughout the rest of the century. Gerritsz was appointed as the first exclusive cartographer of the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) in October 1617, a position he would hold until his death. His interest in the New World was so extensive that, unusual for a cartographer in his position, he joined on a 1628-29 voyage to Brazil and the Caribbean. From this information and the records of the VOC, De Laet created the maps of Joannes de Laet's Beschrijvinghe van West-Indiën ("Description of the West Indies") first published in 1630.

Gerritsz's map would become the most influential map of the region for the remainder of the 17th century.

An essential map for collectors of this region.