“NOVA ET ACCURATA POLI ARCTIC” Amsterdam: Jan Jansson, c. 1684. Verso blank. Engraved map with original hand-coloring (Cartouches later color). State 4 with IV in upper right margin, Nova Zemla has a land bridge to mainland, and Spitsbergen has a completed coastline. References: Burden, #250; Phillips #465.
This handsome Polar chart was originally published in 1637. It incorporates 16th & 17th century discoveries made by explorers such as Captain James, Baffin, Button, Davis, & Willem Barentsz (most of their names appear in the map). Throughout this period, explorers held fast to the certainty of the mythical Northwest Passage, & through their persistence important discoveries & settlements were realized.
Rhumb lines radiate from the North Pole, & several compass roses & ships embellish the chart. The title cartouche depicts two figures surrounded by numerous wind heads which conveniently hide the unknown northwest coast of America. Jansson's imprint, lower right, depicts two men, a polar bear & foxes.
Shipped unmatted
