Blaeu's map of Spitsbergen stands alone among Dutch charts. It is based was the Muscovy Company's map of 1625, but the north coast is completely new. It makes the heads of Wiche Sound/Woodfjorden (Liefde Bay) and Wyde Bay communicate, and it marks and names De Straet van Hinlopen. It also introduced a number of place names. Spitsbergen was an important station for Dutch whalers in the 17th century. This is an uncommon example without the ships and whaling scene. The map was created for the Atlas Major and the copperplate was destroyed in the 1672 fire that destroyed the Blaeu printing house; thus is it quite rare. Spanish text on verso.

References: Van der Krogt (Vol. II) #1260:2.

Condition: A

A crisp impression with full contemporary color on a faintly toned sheet with an elephant watermark and wide margins.