Claes Janszoon Visscher; 1587-1652.
Nicolaes Visscher I, son; 1618 -1679.
Nicolaes Visscher II, grand son; 1649 -1702.
Elizabeth Visscher, his wife; c1650 - c1730.
For almost a century, the Visscher family stood
as one of the most prominent art dealers and map makers in
Amsterdam.
Claes seems to have studied under Jodocus Hondius, and later
purchased a number of plates from Petrus Kaerius with which
he published his first atlas.
From 1638 on, he often signed his work with the latinized
form of his name: Piscator.
He was mostly known for his richly illustrated scenes of battles
and sieges, and for intricately decorated large world maps,
replete with allegories and vignettes,. (he is considered
as the pioneer of the "Carte à figures" style, later adopted
by Blaeu, Jansson and Speed in particular.
In 1649 he issued the 'Tabularum Geographicarum Contractarum",
an enhanced remake of the immensely popular 1598 Barent Langenes'
"Caert Thresoor".
His son, then his grand son, continued publishing and updating
a considerable number of maps and atlases.
Of note from Nicolaes I in 1656 the "Atlas Contractus Orbis
Terrarum", fromNicolaes II in 1683 his "Atlas Minor" (which
in spite of his name was printed in a full folio format).
And lastly, from Elizabeth in 1702 her "Atlas Major".
Tabula Germaniæ emendata recens
This detailed large (21 11/16" X 18 7/16") map was
probably drawn in 1621 (it is presumed to be the source for
the well known 1630 rare map of Germany by Jodocus Hondius).
It has also been recycled slavishly in 1660 by Hugo Allard.
The printing date of the present item is not known.
It presents however a rather rare feature pointing to an early
issue: when looking attentively under a certain angle, one
will notice that all towns and cities are marked by a tiny
speck of gold. The practice of using precious metals to enhance
(illuminate) the visual aspect of printed materials had been
practically abandoned by the end of the XVI century.
In the lower left corner: remarkably Visscher germanized his
middle name to Janssen.
The map shows duchies, counties, free towns and other feudal
länders which will coalesce at a much later date to form present
day Germany, and neighboring nations.
It is also amazingly accurate when it comes to coastlines,
and river tracks.
No text on verso.
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