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World & Polar: Details
Blaeu's only atlas map to show the island of California
Blaeu / Valck, Novus Planiglobii Terrestris Per Utrumque Polum Conspectus, circa 1672 (circa 1695). 15¾ x 21. Full original color. Some cracking due to the old green expertly supported with Japan tissue, else VG. $9,500.00
The plate for this map was made for Joan Blaeu, but not published by him in his Atlas Major, probably because of the great fire of February 22-3, 1672 which destroyed his publishing business. Somehow this plate survived, was obtained by Valk, and used by him in his atlases. Blaeu's imprint is just visible on some impressions of the map, as Valk did not fully erase it. The map is on a polar projection, distinguishing it from Blaeu's other atlas world maps which were on equatorial projections.
California is an island, the only time that Blaeu used this configuration in an atlas map. Above the double-hemispheres are the sun, the stars and the moon. Below are two scenes: at the left Eve is emerging from Adam's rib cage, and at right is a now-clothed Adam gazing upon Eden (which even has a unicorn in the distance). Reference: Koeman, Joan Blaeu and His Grand Atlas, 93-96; Shirley #459.
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Established 1976 
