1631 – W. J. Blaeu – Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae

Title:                      “Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae caeterarumque regionum illi adiacentium exacta descriptio / ill[ustri]ss[i]mi ac excell[si]ss[i]mi Pri[n]cipis et D[omi]ni D. Nicolai Christophori Radziwil D. G. Olycae ac in Nieswies Duces S. Rom. Imp. Principis in Szylowiec ac Mer comitis, et S. Sepulchri Hirosolimitani Militis etc. opera cura et impensis facta ac in lucem edita​”
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Description:
This is the famous Radvila’s (Radziwill) map of Lithuania which occupies a very prominent position among works of European cartography from the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 17th century and is an important contribution to the progress in the mapping of the whole continent. The map had its beginning in 1586 when Prince Michael Radziwill commissioned M. Strubicz to survey the entire Lithuanian state which then included Poland. The resulting map was so accurate and detailed that it provided the basis for all subsequent maps of the area during the 17th and 18th centuries: rivers and small communities are not only indicated but considerable historical information is also provided. It also includes a number of historical notations and two vignettes illustrating important battles west of Smolensk and between Braclaw and Cherkasy. It is the first published map to include the name “Ukraina.” The region west of Kiova (Kyiv) is called Volynia Ulterior, quae tum Ukraina tum nis ab aliis volcitatur. The map shows 1020 towns and villages and within the boundaries of the Grand Dutchy of Lithuania alone there are 511 towns, 31 villages, and 1 monastery.

Comes from Willem Janszoon Blaeu atlas ” Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive atlas novus in quo tabulae et descriptiones omnium regionum ” engraved by Graveris Hessel Gerritsz, published in Amsterdam, 1631.

Map Maker:       Hessel Gerritsz /  Willem Janszoon Blaeu
Frame size:         80,8 x 79,2 cm​​
Place / Date:​       Amsterdam / 1631
Technique:         copper engraving

Condition:
Very good condition. Attractive hand coloring. Few restorations along the horizontal folds and small splits. Watermarked paper.

This is an original antique map published in 1631 and NOT a modern copy or reprint

On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity