The Atlas Maior was the cartographical masterpiece of the baroque period, brought out between 1662 and 1665 by Amsterdam publisher Joan Blaeu, who was also one of Holland’s leading cartographers. Originally appearing in Latin, Blaeu’s peerless atlas comprised 594 maps in eleven volumes, and remained the definitive atlas of the world for over a hundred years. It was the largest and most expensive book published in the 17th century, and today it is one of the most sought-after and valuable antiquarian rarities. Taschen has reprinted the atlas in a series of oversized volumes based on the complete, hand-colored, gilded Atlas Maior in the Austrian National Library. These are gorgeous color reproductions, with full maps spread across both pages-18×14 inches-and also close-up views that reveal the superb level of artistry and detail. Along with original quotes from Blaeu relating to the individual maps, Peter van der Krogt-a cartographic historian and a leading expert on Dutch atlases-provides an authoritative text on the Atlas Maior.

The volumes included in this auction are as follows:

Anglia, Scotia, Hibernia
England, Scotland, Ireland

Publisher/Date: Taschen, 2006, ISBN 9783822851043

Format/Condition: NEW slipcased 2 volume hardcover set with dust jacket, top left corner of slipcase is lightly bumped, 416 pages

Description: This slipcased, two-volume set of maps from the landmark Atlas Maior contains all 58 maps of England, labeled in Latin as Anglia, as well as 55 maps of Scotland and Ireland, along with many detail views. The text is in English, French, and German.

Italia – Italy

Publisher/Date: Taschen, 2006, ISBN 9783822851074

Format/Condition: NEW hardcover book with dust jacket, 208 pages

Description: This volume of the landmark Atlas Maior contains all 60 maps of Italy, labeled in Latin as Italia, along with many detail views. The text is in Italian, English, and German.

Hispania, Portugallia, Africa, and America
Spain, Portugal, Africa, and America

Publisher/Date: Taschen, 2006, ISBN 9783822851067

Format/Condition: NEW hardcover book with dust jacket, 206 pages

Description: This volume of the landmark Atlas Maior contains all 28 maps of Spain and Portugal, labeled in Latin as Hispania and Portugallia, as well as 13 maps of Africa and 23 maps of the Americas, along with many detail views. The text is in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

allia – France

Publisher/Date: Taschen, 2006, ISBN 9783822851050

Format/Condition: NEW hardcover book with dust jacket, 208 pages

Description: This volume of the landmark Atlas Maior contains all 64 maps of France, labeled in Latin as Gallia, along with many detail views. The text is in French, English, and German.