NOVA VIRGINIAE TABULAS
Willem Janszoon Blaeu 1630 First Edition
27" x 22"
Blaeu’s maps of Virginia influenced two generations of European map makers regarding the English mapping and discoveries in the region. This map is based on John Smith’s seminal 1612 map of Virginia, the most important map of Virginia published in the 17th Century and is the second state of Jodocus Hondius’ 1618 engraving (Blaeu purchased the copper plates following Hondius’ death in 1629 and modified the imprints to reflect the new ownership). In 1606, the London Company established the Jamestown settlement. Between 1607 and 1609, Captain John Smith explored the major rivers flowing into the Chesapeake Bay, recording the names of the Native American villages and tribes he encountered (the limits of Smith’s explorations are marked with a Maltese cross, which Blaeu incorporates on his map). Upon his return to England in 1609, Smith employed William Hole to engrave a map, which was first included in a small pamphlet by Joseph Barnes of Oxford in 1612. Jodocus Hondius engraved the first edition of this map in 1618, making it the second appearance of Smith’s original manuscript to appear in print. Smith’s original map would not appear again until 1624, when it was included, along with Smith’s map of New England, in his landmark work, The Generall Historie of Virginia, New-England, and the Summer Isles. There is some question as to whether the map is the work of Smith, who led most of the explorations, or the surveyor accompanying him, Nathaniel Powell. This map includes a large standing figure of Susquehannock, facing away from the Bay (a confirmation of the publication date) and a royal coat of arms. “Status Regis Powhatan” appears in the upper left corner. Scale in strapwork box at bottom center; “Mare Virginicum” in lower left of map. Verso: German text From: Novus Atlas, Das ist Abbi/dung und Beschreibung von al/en Landern des Erdreichs. (Van der Krogt 2, 131).
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​Willem Janszoon Blaeu (nee Willem Janz) was born in Uitgeest (Netherlands), near Alkmaar in 1571. He studied mathematics under Tycho Brahe and learned the theory and practice of astronomical observations and the art of instrument and globe making. In 1596 he settled in Amsterdam as a globe, instrument, and map maker. He published his first cartographic work (a globe) in 1599 and probably published his first printed map (a map of the Netherlands) in 1604 under his birth name. He specialized in maritime cartography and published the first edition of the pilot guide Het Licht der Zeevaert in 1608, and was appointed Hydrographer of the V.O.C. (United East India Company) in 1633. Blaeu’s new position gave him access to the enormous map archives of the VOC. He published his first atlas, Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, sive, Atlas novus in 1630 from which this map is derived. Interestingly, in 1618 another mapmaker, Jan Janz (later called Johannes Janssonius, brother-in-law of Henrius Hondicus) established himself in Amsterdam next door to Blaeu’s shop. The similarity of their names created confusion in the market, and the two became fierce competitors, accusing each other of copying their information. In about 1621 Willem Jansz (as Blaeu was originally known) assumed his grandfather’s sobriquet, blauwe Willem (blue Willem), as the family name; thereafter he published his maps as Willem Janszoon Blaeu. Blaeu died in 1638, leaving his business to his 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.
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