954 - A custom-bound atlas containing 167 seventeenth-century maps, all but one hand-colored, mostly by Blaeu, Janssonius, and Visscher. Folio: title page, 167 double-page maps (some maps slightly discolored, a few with tiny spots, red ink from a wind rose smudged on a map of Denmark, a tiny hole in the title cartouche of a map of North Africa). Contemporary sheepskin, gilt-embossed spine with raised bands (spine and joints slightly rubbed, some minor restorations to corners and edges, traces of old green ties). A monumental composite atlas containing 167 beautifully hand-colored maps from the golden age of cartography, neatly organized by continent and region. It contains nearly 20 maps by Willem Jansz. Blaeu, more than 20 by his son Joan Blaeu, more than 50 maps by Joannes Janssonius, 3 by Claes Jansz. Visscher, more than 40 by Nicolas Visscher, and 11 by Frederick de Wit. The allegorical title by Frederick de Wit (no address) is followed by two highly decorative world maps: “Orbis Terrarum nova et accuratissima tabula” by Nicolas Visscher and “Nova totius terrarum orbis geographica ac hydrographica tabula” by Claes Jansz. Visscher. The continental map of Europe is followed by 108 maps of European countries and regions: the British Isles, Scandinavia, Central Europe, the Low Countries, France, the Iberian Peninsula, Italy, and Greece. The section on Asia includes a continental map and 27 regional maps: Western Asia, as well as Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Borneo, and a general map of China; 16 regional maps of the Chinese provinces; and a general map of Japan by J. Blaeu (from his “Novus Atlas Sinensis”). Following the continental map, the section on Africa includes 8 detailed maps (including Egypt, the Congo, and the Canary Islands). The final section on the Americas includes a continental map as well as separate maps of North and South America, followed by 16 regional maps, including the renowned “Novi Belgii novaeque Angliae nec non partis Virginiae tabula multis in locis emendata” by N. Visscher, featuring an early view of New York, and the early map of Canada (“Extrema Americae versus Boream, ubi Terra Nova Nova Francia”) by J. Bleau. All maps are blank on the reverse. Approximately 15 empty old folios at the end. Detailed list available upon request.