c1646 - A large original engraved map titled:" Provincae Lauden seu Lothien et Linlitouo "
A highly decorative map of Edinburgh and the surrounding area, north as far as Fife and as stated - EDEN BURGH, produced to accompany Volume IV of the "Novus Atlas" published by Janssonius family of Amsterdam in 1646. Fine decorative cartouche in the bottom left, putti at bottom right and large coat of arms at top right.
Generally excellent condition.  Overall size approximately 57.5cm x 46cm including margins. Latin text on verso. Central fold as issued and later hand colouring.
 

Jan Janssonius (also known as Johann or Jan Jansson or Janszoon) (1588-1664) was a renowned geographer and publisher of the seventeenth century, when the Dutch dominated map publishing in Europe. Born in Arnhem, Jan was first exposed to the trade via his father, who was also a bookseller and publisher. In 1612, Jan married the daughter of Jodocus Hondius, who was also a prominent mapmaker and seller. Jonssonius’ first maps date from 1616. In the 1630s, Janssonius worked with his brother-in-law, Henricus Hondius. Their most successful venture was to reissue the Mercator-Hondius atlas. Jodocus Hondius had acquired the plates to the Mercator atlas, first published in 1595, and added 36 additional maps. After Hondius died in 1612, Henricus took over publication; Janssonius joined the venture in 1633. Eventually, the atlas was renamed the Atlas Novus and then the Atlas Major, by which time it had expanded to eleven volumes. Janssonius is also well known for his volume of English county maps, published in 1646. Janssonius died in Amsterdam in 1664. His son-in-law, Johannes van Waesbergen, took over his business. Eventually, many of Janssonius’ plates were sold to Gerard Valck and Pieter Schenk, who added their names and continued to reissue the maps.