Copper engraving, hand-colored, 380 x 490 mm, text in Dutch. W. Blaeu, an astronomer and student of Tycho Brahe, founded a workshop for the construction of globes in 1599; almost immediately, he also began publishing maps, leading to the creation in 1630 of the first atlas, “Atlantis Appendix,” and five years later, the first two-volume edition of the “Atlas Novus.” After his death in 1638, his son Johan oversaw the publication of the famous “Atlas Maior” in 11 volumes in 1662. In 1672, a fire destroyed the workshop, marking the end of the business. Excellent specimen