Atlas Maior

The ATLAS MAIOR, the cartographical masterpiece of the Baroque, was brought out in 1662 and 1665 by the Amsterdam publisher Joan Blaeu, one of Holland's leading cartographers. Originally appearing in Latin, the atlas comprised 594 maps in 11 volumes, which depicted the whole of the world as known to early modern Europe. For more than 100 years it remained the definitive atlas of the world, and today is one of the most sought-after and valuable antiquarian rarities. TASCHEN's bibliophile reprint of this costly atlas is based on the hand-colored copy with gilt highlights now in the Austrian National Library in Vienna. Alongside original quotes from Joan Blaeu relating to the individual maps, the new text by Peter van de Krogt explains the historical and cultural associations and introduces the reader to the fascinaing world of early modern cartography. This edition published by Barnes & Noble Books Inc. by arrangement with TASCHEN GmbH 2006 415 pages descriptions in English, German & Fre