Beschreibung:

BLAEU, Willem Janszoon (1571-1638). Zeespiegel, Inhoudende Een Karte Onderwijsinghe in de Konst de Zeevaert, en Eene beschrijvinghe der Seekusten van de Oostersche, Noordsche, en Westersche Schipvaert. Amsterdam: Johannes Blaeu, 1652-1648-164[?]. 3 parts in one volume, 2° (307 x 204mm.) Black letter. Letterpress general title and three section titles, each with woodcut vignette. 111 engraved coastal charts, 1 folding, 105 double-page, 3 single-page and 2 half-page, engraved illustration formed from 4 volvelles, numerous woodcut illustrations including coastal profiles. (Lacking the volvelle to the illustration on D3 recto in part I, occasional small marginal repairs.) Contemporary vellum (old dampstaining to lower cover, hinges strengthened.) VERY RARE AT AUCTION: the last copy to appear at auction was a 1627 edition offered in 1982. Willem Janszoon Blaeu's published two great pilot guides: the first ( Het Licht der Zee-vaert ) was published in various editions and languages between 1608 and 1630. Blaeu's copyright to this work appears to have run out in 1618, and from 1620 Johannes Janssonius was publishing his own versions. Blaeu responded to this threat from his publishing rival by the publishing of the present work in 1623: it covers much the same coastal regions, but does so in much greater detail, with larger scale maps. All editions of the Zeespiegel are rare, despite its wide circulation, their constant use on board ship ensuring that few copies survived. This is the last edition to be published and was issued by Willem's son, Johannes Blaeu. Koeman IV. MBl 45 1; 42 I I A; version combining elements of 37 I I I and 39 I I I A (listing five copies.)