World Maps: Building a Collection

When most people think of maps they imagine a decorative, double hemisphere map of the World. Two globes, imbedded in a sea of color depicting cherubs, mythological figures, strange animals, and costumed natives illustrate the known world of that age. Indeed, World maps represent some of the finest art of the period, rivaling the great works of art produced during the 16th and 17th centuries. Collectors can be bewildered by the choices available to them and frustrated by their inability to locate that special map that will complete their collection. We will highlight two of our favorite World maps from the 17th century.

The European maritime powers made no new important geographical discoveries between 1640 and 1700. And this fact is reflected in the few significant changes made on world maps in this period. Despite the few geographical changes, we see the finest examples of Dutch artistic and engraving skills produced in any age. The spectacular decorative world maps issued in 1666 by Pieter Goos and in 1683 by Johannes de Ram reflect the pinnacle of Dutch artistic achievement.

Pieter Goos was one of the most successful of all publishers. His atlas, DE ZEE-ATLAS OFTE WATER-WERELD, published between 1666 and 1676 in several editions, established his reputation among cartographers in Amsterdam. There were twenty editions of the ZEE-ATLAS published up until 1675 all including the world map. Goos's atlas was considered the maritime equivalent of the Blaeu ATLAS MAJOR and was often included with the 9 - 12 volumes of the ATLAS MAJOR.

The two engraved hemispheres show insular California and the major discoveries made up to 1666. " At the top of the map birds large and small - including a Goos - fly in the beams of a resplendent sun. Beneath, a gracefully composed group of figures represent the four seasons: spring, summer, fall, and winter. The map as a whole is particularly well balanced and pleasing." (Shirley, page 456). This Scarce map is richly colored and sometimes found with gold highlighting.

Johannes de Ram`s world map is found in Van Keulen`s atlas of 1683 and in his own atlas of 1685. According to Shirley, " ...stands as a splendid engraving which would hang beside any master print of the baroque period." and the " superb representational border scenes ... imparts unique sense of excitement and distinction to Ram`s map." At the top is a panorama of the gods and goddesses of Greek mythology in the heavens. Beneath the globes Neptune commands his maritime kingdom while allegorical figures and animals symbolizing the continents interact in a sea of rich color. The spectacular border scenes were engraved by the famed engraver Jacob Harrewyn.

This map is extremely scarce. One of the top dealers in the England hasn’t seen the Ram in ten years. We found only two price references, both in 1991. The De Ram map would be a unique addition, turning a merely good map collection into an exceptional one.

We have both of these maps available for purchase now at C. Dickens. It would not be an exaggeration to say that you could spend years, or a decade, looking for these maps and never find one even in poor condition. Don't miss an opportunity to add two exceptionally rare and splendidly decorated maps to your collection.

Copyright 1996 - 2001 C. Dickens Fine, Rare and Collectible Books, Atlanta, Georgia