One of Ortelius’s most important European maps, in an attractive example. It clearly summarizes what 16th century geographers believed of northern Europe and the waters above it. In his atlas, Ortelius cited an array of cartographers whose ideas contributed to this map, including several whose maps are now unobtainable. Greenland..... More
A superb bird’s-eye view, published just after Stockholm had become the official capital of the Swedish Empire. The view is oriented to the south, displaying the city’s northern fortifications and gates. The royal castle appears prominently to the left of center. In the foreground, Stockholm’s suburbs of wooden houses stand..... More
A beautifully engraved and colored map of all of Denmark, part of northern Germany, and southwestern Sweden. The cartouche features the royal arms of Denmark and mythological figures. More
One of the earliest acquirable maps of Scandinavia. While many of the maps associated with Ptolemy’s Geographia appear in most editions of the book, this modern map only appeared in the Ulm, Waldseemuller and Fries editions of Geographia. This depiction of Scandinavia appeared for the first time in the extremely..... More
A beautiful example of this fascinating and desirable 16th century woodcut--Munster’s visual compendium of sea and land monsters. Many of the former were inspired by whale sightings, as is suggested by the several creatures in the image spouting water. Other beasts seem quite familiar, though..... More
A very attractive nautical chart of the North Sea, including the eastern coastline of Scotland and northern England, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The attractive cartouche shows a logging scene, alluding to Norway’s timber trade. The Van Keulen firm was a leading supplier of charts, instruments, and maritime related books of..... More
