Hessel Gerritsz was one of the most influential

Acquired From: Gowrie Galleries

Colouring: Uncoloured

Condition: Very Good

Confirmed: No

Dealers ID No.: M881 (STK1723.01)

Description: Hessel Gerritsz was one of the most influential Dutch mapmakers of the early seventeenth century. He trained in the workshop of Willem Jansz. Blaeu before establishing himself around 1608 as an independent engraver, printer, and mapmaker. His precision and cartographic insight quickly earned him recognition. In 1617, Gerritsz was appointed as the first exclusive mapmaker for the Dutch East India Company (VOC), a role he held until his death in 1632. He was recommended for the position by Petrus Plancius, the VOCs chief scientist and advisor, who favoured Gerritsz over Blaeu due to their strained relationship. After Gerritszs death, the post was passed to Blaeu.nOne of Gerritszs significant early works was Beschryvinghe vander Samoyeden Landt ("Description of the Land of the Samoyeds"), published in 1612. Later that year he republished the work in Latin titled, Descriptio ac delineatio geographica detectionis freti. It was accompanied by this world map, notable for incorporating recent discoveries by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernandes de Quirós, who sailed under the Spanish flag. An inscription across the southern continent reads: Terra per Petrum Fernandez de Quir recens detecta, olim verò sub nomine Terrae Australis Incognitae celebrata (Lands recently discovered by Pedro Fernandes de Quirós, in fact formerly referred to as the celebrated unknown South Lands).nQuirós had sailed as part of Álvaro de Mendañas 159596 expedition before leading his own voyage in 160506 in search of the legendary southern continent. In 1606, he claimed to have discovered Australia del Espiritu Santo, which he believed to be part of Terra Australis but is now known to be one of the Vanuatu islands. nGerritszs map had a lasting influence on Dutch and French representations of the South Pacific throughout the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Alongside Spanish accounts, it contributed to the gradual association of the name Australia with the southern continent.nIn contrast to the first edition (View Record (#99)) this second edition shows the Pacific coast of North America extended north to the Strait of Anian and N. Albion marked in California.

Engraver: Gerritsz, Hessel (1581-1632)

First published: Beschryvinghe vander Samoyeden Landt in Tatierien Amsterdam: Hessel Gerritsz, 1612

Image Size (cm): 28.4×14.5

Mapmaker: Gerritsz, Hessel (1581-1632)

Notes: Purchase details

Other states: Third 1613

Primary Category: World

Rarity: R2 Very rare – one or two copies appear on the market

References: Johannes Keuning, Hessel Gerritsz, Imago Mundi 6 (1949): 4866.

Shirley ID #: 278 Mapping the World

Technique: Copper Engraving

This state: 1612, Second (Latin)