In untouched editiorial binding, complete including the maps of Ireland, Scotland and England

BLAEU, Joan.

Theatrum Orbis Terrarum sive Atlas Novus Pars Tertia.

Amsterdam: J. Blaeu, 1645.

1st Edition. Hardcover. Very Good. Item #004043

Three parts in one volume (Italy, Greece, and Enland/Scotland/Ireland) with separate foliation of each part and additional half-title to final part (Regnorum Angliae, Scotiae, et Hiberniae). 1-11 [1], 12-111; 8; [1], 9, [1] leaves. Latin text predominantly printed in double columns and with woodcut initials and tailpieces; engraved allegorical title within an architectual border and 66 (of 66) engraved maps (all but 4 double-page); the title and the maps all finely colored in a contemporary hand, the title and embellishments fully colored; each leaf of text and plates mounted on guard. Signatures: A-F² G¹, H-Z² Aa-Cc² Dd¹, Ee-Ff² Gg¹ Hh² Ii¹ Kk-Ll² Mm¹ Nn-Zz² Aaa¹ Bbb-Ccc² Ddd¹ Eee² Fff¹ Ggg² Hhh¹ Iii-Lll² Mmm¹ Nnn-Xxx² Yyy¹ Zzz¹ Aaaa² Bbbb¹ Cccc² Dddd¹ Eeee² Ffff¹ Gggg-Qqqq² Rrrr¹ Ssss-Tttt² Vuuu¹ Xxxx² Yyyy¹ Zzzz² Aaaaa¹, ²A-C^{2 2}D^{1 2}E^{2 2}G¹, Pi^{1 3}A-C^{2 3}D^{1 3}E^{2 3}F^{1 3}G^{2 2}H¹, Chi¹. A few mis-foliations and errors in signatures (those missing added in manuscript). Original (editorial) Dutch gilt-tooled vellum with yapp board edges, all leaf edges gilt (vellum spotted and dust-soiled, gilt decoration partly rubbed, green silk ties mostly gone). Title page with small hole in blank inner margin; lower corner of first 3 leaves dog-eared; minor finger- and dust-soiling to outer margins; even light browning of text and plates; minor occasional spotting, a few faint marginal dampstains in places (stronger to first pages); 3 leaves of maps with vertical creases, map of Macedonia with abrasive patch at gutter; a few leaves working loose from stubs. Provenances: Tidö Bibliotek* (engraved armorial bookplate to front pastedown); monogrammed ownership insciption "W.E.K" dated 1865 on stub of title page. Exceptional copy in untouched original binding. ----

SECOND, ENLARGED, EDITION, AND EXCEPTIONALLY RARE COMPLETE AS HERE WITH ALL THE MAPS OF THE APPENDIX AS CALLED FOR. The first edition of 1640 (Koeman BI 36A) only contained the maps of Italy and Greece. This edition has 4 maps of Ireland, Scotland and England added and a new general index. A few minor corrections (wrong signatures in the 1640 edition and added tailpieces) are also noticeable. This second edition in Latin is of exceptional rarity. Koeman knows of only two institutional copies, one in Leeuwarden and the other in Copenhagen of which the former he describes is incomplete, lacking the index and the maps 59 to 62. RBH lists two copies at auction (Bolaffi 2016 and Sotheby's 1991), none of them complete.
The firm of Blaeu operated in Amsterdam from 1596 until 1672. The founder Willem Blaeu studied under the celebrated Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe and began producing globes and scientific instrument before expanding his business to include maps, charts, and books. He was appointed Chief Cartographer to the Dutch East India Company in 1633 and upon his death in 1638, the business was passed on to his sons, Joan and Cornelis who continued their father's work.
*Tidö Castle (Västerås, Sweden) was owned by the Oxenstiernas from 1609-1759 and thereafter by the von Schinkel family.
Bibliography & References: Koeman 1, 165 (BI 37A); Tooley 21. - Visit our website to see more images!

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