Pascaerte van Brazil, en Nieu Neder Landt. van Corvo en Flores tot de Barbados.
[Sea chart of Brazil and New Netherland, from Corvo and Flores to Barbados]
Amsterdam: DONCKER, Hendrick, c. 1659
Size (neatline): 54.7 x 43.6 cm / 21.5 x 17.2 in
Size (sheet): 57.1 x 45.6 cm / 22.5 x 18.0 in
Technique: Copper engraving
Colour: Hand coloured
Verso: Blank
Condition: Very good
First edition of Doncker’s unusual chart of the North Atlantic
Description
This is the first state of this uncommon sea chart by Hendrick Doncker, taking in parts of the eastern coastlines of the Americas. Oriented to the east, the chart reaches from present-day eastern Quebec (Nova Biscaia and Nova Francia) and Newfoundland (Terra Nova) in the north to the northeastern tip of Brazil in the south, and from the Azores and Cabo Verde in the east to Hispaniola in the west.
The chart is based on a chart by Anthonie (Theunis) Jacobsz from 1650, adopting the same perspective. At the time of Jacobsz’s chart, this was likely done to capture on the one sheet the information most essential to a Dutch audience, including mariners – the then-Dutch colonies in the Americas and the shortest routes between them and Europe (via the gateway of the Azores shown here). By the time Doncker published his version, Dutch Brazil no longer existed, though Dutch presence in the Caribbean endured.
Similar to portolans, geographical detail in Doncker’s chart is concentrated along the coastlines, with countless locations named. In North America, present-day New England is shown as Nieu Nederlant (New Netherland), New York – as Nieu Amsterdam, Long Island – as Gebroken lant (“Broken Land”), the Hudson River – as Maritius R.[ivier], Sandy Hook – as Sandhoeck, and what appears to be Nantucket Island – as Cabeljaus Eyl.[and] (“Cod Island”). Many of the Caribbean islands are easily identifiable, with Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and Trinidad standing out. In South America, Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil are named, along with numerous rivers, including the Amazon and the Orinoco.
Navigational elements include rhumb lines and an indication of shoals.
The decorative title cartouche features what is likely meant to be an Indigenous American as well as several animals, including birds, a turtle, an armadillo, and a monkey.
The chart features two compass roses, and it is adorned with two galleons.
The equator as well as the Tropic of Cancer are shown.
Three distance scales are displayed at bottom left.
A beautiful example of this peculiar Dutch sea chart.
Publication
De zee-atlas ofte water-waereld [c. 1659]
Condition
Very good.
Printed on a sturdy sheet, issued folding. Early colouring in outline, to cartouche, and to embellishments. Light even toning. A few faint spots. Narrow bottom margin, as issued. A couple of hinge tape remnants on verso.
Item #: 02309
US $850.00
Status: On Hold