Antique map of South East Asia - Johannes Janssonius 1630

Johannes Janssonius

Paper
39 ⨯ 50 cm
€ 1.850

Inter-Antiquariaat Mefferdt & De Jonge

• About the artwork
  A LANDMARK EARLY MAP OF SOUTHEAST ASIA, THE PHILIPPINES, AND AUSTRALIA “Indiae Orientalis Nova Descriptio.“ Copper engraving published by Johannes Janssonius (in English also known as Jan Jansson) in 1630. With original hand colouring. Size (plate mark): 39 x 50,7 cm. This edition of Johannes Janssonius’ map—first appearing in his “Appendix” in 1630—is celebrated for its excellent regional detail and its historical significance. It is notably the only Dutch printed map to record the 1606 discoveries of captain Willem Janszoon aboard the Duyfken, an expedition that led to the first recorded European landing on Australian soil, specifically on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula. In the early 17th century, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) was eager to expand its trade monopoly in the East Indies. In 1605, at the initiative of the VOC, Jan Willemsz Verschoor organized an expedition "to discover the great land of New Guinea and other eastern and southern lands." Willem Janszoon (1570-1636) was selected for this pioneering expedition, setting sail from Bantam (Indonesia) in late 1605. According to John Saris, an agent for the British East India Company, the Duyfken departed on November 28, 1605. In early 1606, after navigating New Guinea’s south coast, Jansz sailed south across Torres Strait—mistaking it for a shallow bay—and continued along what he presumed was the continuation of New Guinea’s coastline. In truth, he was venturing into the waters off the Australian coast. Unbeknownst to him, this voyage marked the first recorded European encounter with Australian soil. In addition, the map also presents the Philippines in detail for the first time. Janssonius drew upon the work of VOC cartographer Hessel Gerritsz, utilizing information that the VOC had strictly controlled in the early 17th century for competitive reasons. Janssonius’ map is significant not only for its depiction of the discoveries in New Guinea, referred to as “Duyfkens Eylant,” but also as the sole printed cartographic record of part of the Duyfken’s route until later maps emerged. While the map uses a scale of miles to cover the area of the Australian discoveries—thus offering less detail on Jansz’s Australian findings—it remains an invaluable document in the history of European exploration in the region. Price: Euro 1.850,- (incl. frame)
• About the artist

  Janssonius was born in Arnhem as the son of Jan Jansz, a printer and publisher there. At a young age he moved to Amsterdam, the then center of the printing and card trade. In 1612 he married Elisabeth Hondius, daughter of Jodocus Hondius. Elisabeth died in 1627 and Janssonius remarried in 1629 with Elisabeth Carlier. He went to work for his father-in-law and continued the publishing business together with Henricus Hondius (son of) after his death. This was developed into one of the largest of its time. There were branches in Berlin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Lyon and Stockholm, among others.

  Under Janssonius' leadership, the Mercator-Hondius Atlas was expanded and published as Atlas Novus. This initially one-volume edition soon became a multi-volume atlas, supplemented on request with nautical charts and/or celestial charts. There were publications in Dutch, French, Spanish and Latin. Like his contemporaries, Janssonius also made use of existing copper plates, including those from the city books of Braun & Hogenberg and the Description de touts les Pays Bas (Description of all the Netherlands) by Lodovico Guicciardini - (Cornelis Claesz. edition) from 1609 Although Janssonius has often been accused of copying Willem Blaeu's work, it may be noted that maps by Janssonius also appeared on the market earlier.

  After Janssonius' death, the firm was continued by his son-in-law, Johannes (Jan) van Waesbergen, who was married to his daughter Elisabeth Janssonius (1615-1681). Many copper plates of the city books were used (sometimes slightly modified) by Frederik de Wit. The building on Dam Square was leased to Gerard Valck; He also bought a number of printing plates in 1694.

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