A 17th century map of Iceland

JANSSON, Jan.

Tabula Islandiæ Auctore Georgio Carolo Flandro.
Amsterdam, c.1630, blank verso. Original colour. 380 x 500mm.

A fine map of Iceland, based on a map by Joris Carl (1601-25), a pilot from Enkhuizen. It is decorated with an ornate title cartouche, a pair of compass roses, a galleon and seamonsters.
This map is one of the symbols of the intense rivalry between Jansson and Blaeu. Joris Carl's map was first engraved by Jodocus Hondius II (son of the firm's founder and Jansson's brother-in-law). When Jodocus died in 1629 many of his plates were sold to Willem Blaeu, who added his name to the plates and used them to publish his first atlas in 1630. Angered by the sale, Jansson had the Hondius plates slavishly copied. This plate, which only differs from Blaeu's by the lack of his name under the title, was first issued the same year. The lack of text on verso suggests this could be the first issue, from the 'Atlantis Maioris Appendix'.

KOEMAN: Me 31a.
Stock ID : 17310