Joan Blaeu (also Johannes Blaeu; 23 September 1596 - 21 December 1673) was a Dutch cartographer born in Alkmaar, the son of cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu.
In 1620, he became a doctor of law but he joined the work of his father. In 1635, they published the Atlas Novus (full title: Theatrum orbis terrarum, sive, Atlas novus) in two volumes. Joan and his brother Cornelius took over the studio after their father died in 1638. Blaeu became the official cartographer of the Dutch East India Company.
Around 1649, Blaeu published a collection of Dutch city maps named Toonneel der Steeden (Views of Cities). In 1651, he was voted into the Amsterdam council. In 1654, Blaeu published the first atlas of Scotland, devised by Timothy Pont. In 1662, he reissued the Atlas Novus, also known as Atlas Maior, in 11 volumes, and one for oceans.[citation needed] A cosmology was planned as their next project, but a fire destroyed the studio completely in 1672.
Blaeu died in Amsterdam on 21 December 1673. He is buried in the Westerkerk there.
Kent. "Cantium Vernacule Kent". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With great figure title-cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ... Germanicum"), English coat of arms, 7 family coats of arms and 5...
"Cestria comitatus Palatinus". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche with a blank shield, anotehr figure cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ...") and 2 cartouches with...
"Comitatus Brechiniae. Breknoke". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche, another figure cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ..."), the royal coat of arms, the badge of...
"Comitatus Dorcestria, sive Dorsettia- Vulgo Anglice Dorset Shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With great decorative title-cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ..."), 7 ships, royal coat...
"Comitatus Salopiensis- Anglice Shrop shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche, a cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ...") and a cherub, a cartouche with the...
"Contado di Molise et Principato Ultra". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1644. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche with 2 coats-of-arms and another ornamental cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di...
"Cornubia. Sive Cornwallia". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche, 3 ships, royal and English coats of arms, coat of arms of Cornwall and a cartouche with 11 family coats of arms...
"Cumbria- Vulgo Cumberland". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche, decorative cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ...") and 6 cherubs, 2 ships, royal and English coats...
"Ducatus Eboracensis Anglice York shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche, a cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliar. Anglica ...") and a cherub, 2 royal coats of arms and a...
"Ducatus Eboracensis Pars Borealis. The Northriding of York shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With great figure title-cartouche with a coat of arms of Yorkshire and the scale of map ("Milliaria...
"Ducatus Eboracensis Pars Borealis. The Northriding of York shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With great figure title-cartouche with a coat of arms of Yorkshire and the scale of map ("Milliaria...
"Ducatus Eboracensis Pars Occidentalis- The Westriding of Yorke shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche, another figure cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica ..."),...
"Ducatus Eboracensis Pars Orientalis- The Eastriding of Yorkeshire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche, a ship and 8 family coats of arms (including 2 blank shields) with 2...
"Elba isola, olim Ilua". Orig. copper-engraving. Published in Amsterdam by W. and J. Blaeu, 1640. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title cartouche and another ornamental cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di miglia quattro"). 20:26 cm (8...
Elba (Italy)."Elba isola, olim Ilva". Orig. copper-engraving. Published in Amsterdam by W. and J. Blaeu, 1640. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title cartouche and another ornamental cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di miglia...
"Glottiana Praefectura inferior, cum Baronia Glascuensi. The Nether Warde of Clyds-Dail, and Baronie of Glasco". Orig. copper-engraving after T. Pont's map of the region. Published by J. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1654. Original old colouring. With...
"Hantonia Sive Southantonensis Comitatus Vulgo Hant-shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With decorative title-cartouche, royal and English coats of arms, 8 family coats of arms (including 1 blank...
Haarlem. "Harlemum vernacule Haerlem". Vogelschauansicht. Kupf. von J. Blaeu, 1646 (aus seinem Städtebuch). Mit 3 Rollwerkskart. u. 2 Wappen. 46,5:57 cm.
"Il Bellunese con il Feltrino". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1644. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche and another ornamental cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di miglia cinque") with a lion....
Holy Island and Farne Islands. "Insula Sacra; Vulgo Holy Illand; et Farne". Orig. copperplate engraving first published, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Coloured. With ornamental title-cartouche, another cartouche with great coat-of-arms and a ship. 39:47,5 cm (15 1/4 x 18 3/4 inch.).
Isole Tremiti. "Insulae Tremitanae, olim Diomedeae dictae". Orig. copperplate engraving from the French edition of Joan Blaeu's Atlas Maior, Amsterdam, 1663. Orig. old colouring. With engraved title, an ornamental cartouche with the key and many ships. 38:50 cm.
Holy Island and Farne Island (Great Britain)."Insula Sacra- Vulgo Holy Illand- et Farne". Orig. copper-engraving first published by J. Blaeu, 1645. Coloured. With ornamental title-cartouche, another cartouche with great coat-of-arms and a ship....
Ischia (Italy)."Ischia Isola, olim Aenaria". Orig. copper-engraving after J. Jasolinus' map of Ischia. Published in Amsterdam by J. and C. Blaeu, 1641-42. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche, another 2 ornamental cartouches and 3...
"Istria olim Iapidia". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1644. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche, a cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di Miglia sette Italiane") held by 2 cherubs, and a sailing ship....
"Lancastria Palatinatvs Anglis Lancaster et Lancas shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche with a coat of arms (blank), a cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliar. Angl. ......
"Leicestrensis comitatus. Leicester shire". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche, a cartouche with the scale of map ("Quatour milliaria Anglica ... Germanicum") and 8 cherubs,...
Argyllshire. Scotland. "Lorna cum insulis vicinis et proviciis eidem conterminis. Lorn wt the Yles and provinces bordering there-upon". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1654. Original old colouring. With decorative title-cartouche, another...
"Lugundum Batavorum vernacule Leyden". Vogelschauansicht. Kupf. (aus dem Städtebuch von J. Blaeu, 1649). Mit 2 Wappen, Rollwerkskart., gest. Titel und 2 Legenden. 42,5:54,5 cm.
Upper Lusatia. "Lusatia Superior". Orig. copper-engraving after B. Scultetus map of the region. From the Spanish ed. of Atlas Maior. Published by J. Blaeu, Amsterdam 1659. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title cartouche with 2 figures, another ornament. cartouche with the scale of map and a cot-of-arms. 41:52,5 cm.
Magdeburg. "Magdeburgensis Archiepiscopatus". Orig. copper-engarving, J. Blaeu, (1659). Orig. old colouring. With ornament. title cartouche and a great cot of arms. 42,5:51 cm.
"Middle-Sexia". Orig. copper-engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1645. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche with the scale of map ("Milliaria Anglica quorum ... constituunt German."), British coat of arms and the city of London in the...
Isle of Man. "Mona". Orig. copperplate engraving, J. Blaeu, Amsterdam, 1646. Orig. old colouring. With decorative title cartouche, 2 coats of arms and 3 ships. 38,5:27,5 cm.
Schleswig-Holstein. "Nova & Accurata Ducatuum Slesvici et Holsatiae tabula". Orig. copper-engraving after J. Mejer's map of the region (engraved by M. and N. Pet(erson)). Published in Amsterdam by J. Blaeu, ca. 1660. 42:59,5 cm.
Nijmegen. "Novio Magum". Vogelschauansicht. Kupf. von J. Smith bei J. Blaeu (aus dem Städtebuch, 1649). Mit floraler- u. fig. Kart., 2 Wappen, reicher Schiffstaffage u. Legende 1-58. 42:55,5 cm.
The World."Novus Planiglobii Terrestris per utrumque Polum conspectus". Orig. copper-engraving by J. Blaeu, published by G. Valk in Amsterdam, ca. 1695. Original old colouring, the decorations around the map later coloured. Map of the World in a...
"Parte Alpestre dello Stato di Milano Con il Lago Maggiore di Lugano, e di Como". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. and C. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1641. Original old colouring. With figure title-cartouche and ornamental cartouche with the...
"Piemonte et Monferrato". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. and W. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1640. Orig. old colouring. With figure title-cartouche and a cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di Miglia undeci"). 42:52,5 cm (16 1/2 x 20 3/4 inch.).
"Polesino di Rovigo". Orig. copper-engraving. Published by J. and C. Blaeu in Amsterdam, 1641. Orig. old colouring. With ornamental title-cartouche with a coat-of-arms, another ornamental cartouche with the scale of map ("Scala di Quindici miglia...
"Pomeraniae Ducatus Tabula". Orig. old coloured copper-engraving from J. Blaeu's Atlas Mayor, ca. 1660. Engraved by S. Rogiers after E. Lubin's map of the region. With great figure title-cartouche, another figure cartouche with the scale of map,...