This is a map of the island of Cyprus. The text is in Latin and the embelishments and images contain color ink. There are two crests/emblems at the top of the map and a key in the bottom left hand corner. The botton right hand corner contains two images of swans with a nude woman and child. The map is matted on a cream background in a dark wooden frame. There is a crease down the center of the map.

Entitled 'Cyprus Insula' by The Blaeu Family. Valued at $375. Apprased by Richard B. Arkway, INC. From the Cyprus museum.
info from Cyprus 2500 Years of Cartography:
O. Dapper. From his book Description des isles del Archipel Amsterdam 1703.

This map of Cyprus is based completely on the famous 1573 Cyprus map by Ortelius. The artistic alterations made on the map render it the finest copper-plate map of the island to that date. At the bottom right hand corner, Venus, Cupid and a pair of swans glide over the waves towards Paphos. The map appeared for the first time in the second volume of Willem Blaeu's Opus Atlas Novus, published in 1635.


The Blaeu Family
Born in Alkmaar, Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638), received a refined education in the sciences and especially astronomy by Tycho Brache, a renowned Danish astronomer. In 1599 he founded a globe and instrument constructing business in Amsterdam. Soon the business expanded into publishing maps, topographical works and books of sea-charts. In this way, Willem Janszoon Blaeu set the foundations for the establishment of the reputable "Blaeu Maps."

The most notable of his first works was a map of Holland (1604), a world map (1605-1606) and Het Light der Zeevaerdt (The Light of Navigation.) Het Light der Zeevaerdt was marine atlas which went through many editions in different languages. In 1630, Willem published his first world atlas with the title Atlantis Appendix. It was an atlas with sixty maps produced from the printing plates he had acquired from Jodocus Hondius. In 1634, Willem commenced publication of his Atlas Novus.

After Willem Blaeu's death in 1638, his sons Johannes (1596-1673) and Cornellis (1610-1648) took over the business and furthered their father's ambitious plans. After Cornellis' death, Johannes directed the work alone.

Atlas Major was published in 1662 in two volumes and contained 600 double page maps and 3000 pages of text. Later editions were published in 9-12 volumes.

The "Blaeu Maps' are renowned for the masterly care and attention manifested in every stage of production, from engraving to printing to coloring. The Blaeus produced fine engravings with elaborate cartouches and pictorial as well as heraldic detail and splendid calligraphy. In 1672 a disastrous fire consumed the Blaeus' printing house and a year later Johannes Blaeu died.

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