1654 - A large original copper engraved map titled: " CARICTA BOREALIS Vulgo The northpart of CARRICK "

An outstanding example of this map of the northern part of the historic region of Carrick, South Ayrshire in Scotland. Map is very detailed, with the inclusion of rivers, lochs, mountains, cities, villages and castles. With two decorative cartouches, one with the title and the other the scale, illustrated with regional figures, livestock and putti.

Verso blank.

Excellent condition with central fold as issued and later hand colouring.

Approximately 33cmx 55cm with large margins, perfect for mounting and framing.

Joan (Johannes) Blaeu (1596-1673) was a Dutch cartographer active in the 17th Century. Joan was the son of Willem Janszoon Blaeu, founder of the Blaeu firm. Like his farther Willem, Johannes was born in Aklmaar, North Holland, He studied law, attaining a doctorate, before moving to Amsterdam to join the family mapmaking business. In 1633, Willem arranged for Johannes to take over Hessel Gerritsz's position as the official chartmaker of the Dutch East India Company, although little is known of his work for that organisation, which was by contract and oath secretive. Where other cartographers often fell into financial ruin, the Blaeu form thrived. It was most likely those profits that allowed the firm to publish the 'Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Altlas Novus', their most significant and best known publication. When Willem Blaeu died in 1638, Johannes, along with this Borther Cornelius (1616-1648) took over the management of the Blaeu firm. In 1662, Joan and Cornelius produced a vastly expanded and updated work, the 'Atlas Novus', whose handful of editions ranged from 9 to 12 volumes. In 1672 the Great Amsterdam Fire destroyed their offices and most of their printing plates. Johannes Blaeu died the following year. Johannes Blaeu was survived by his son, also Johannes but commonly called Joan II, who inherited the family's VOC contract, for whom he compiled maps until 1712.