Joan Blaeu / Timothy Pont - Insulae Quaedam Minores ex Aebudis quae Mulam et Skiam insulas interjacent. Some of the Smaller Westerne Yles lying betweene the Yles of Mule and Skye. Amsterdam, c.1654. Hand-coloured engraved map.
Joan Blaeu / Timothy Pont - Insulae Quaedam Minores ex Aebudis quae Mulam et Skiam insulas interjacent. Some of the Smaller Westerne Yles lying betweene the Yles of Mule and Skye. Amsterdam, c.1654. Original hand-coloured engraved map.
A particularly attractive seventeenth-century map of the Small Isles and surrounding islands off the west coast of Scotland, published by Joan Blaeu and based upon the pioneering surveys of the Scottish cartographer Timothy Pont. The map principally depicts Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna, together with Soay, Hyskeir and portions of the neighbouring coasts and islands, including part of Coll. Individual settlements, churches, hills, lochs and other topographical features are shown, with the islands picked out in attractive contemporary-style colour.
Timothy Pont (c.1565-c.1614) was one of the most important early cartographers of Scotland. During the late sixteenth century he travelled extensively throughout the country, undertaking remarkably detailed surveys and preparing manuscript maps which constituted the first systematic cartographic survey of Scotland. Following Pont's death, his surviving material was acquired by Sir John Scot of Scotstarvit and revised and prepared for publication by Robert Gordon of Straloch. The resulting maps were subsequently sent to Amsterdam, where they formed the basis of the celebrated series of Scottish maps published by Willem and Joan Blaeu.
This map was originally published in the Scottish volume of Joan Blaeu's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Sive Atlas Novus at Amsterdam in 1654. This example appears consistent with the early atlas issue: printed letterpress text is clearly visible in show-through from the verso, corresponding with examples of the 1654 issue. For this reason the map is conservatively dated here to c.1654.
The engraved title cartouche at the upper centre gives both the Latin title, "Insulae Quaedam Minores ex Aebudis quae Mulam et Skiam insulas interjacent", and beneath it the English title, "Some of the Smaller Westerne Yles, lying betweene the Yles of Mule and Skye", followed by the attribution "Timoth. Pont auctor."
The principal islands are represented with considerable topographical detail. Rum is particularly well delineated, with its mountainous interior, waterways, settlements and Loch Scresort shown, while Eigg, Muck and Canna similarly include settlements, churches and geographical features. At the lower right is a particularly decorative engraved scale cartouche, incorporating allegorical figures and the "Scala Miliaria". The original engraving has been enhanced with attractive hand colouring in green, yellow, pink, red and blue.
Joan Blaeu (1596-1673), together with his father Willem Blaeu, established the Blaeu publishing house as one of the greatest names in the history of European cartography. Their atlases were renowned not only for their geographical content but also for the exceptional quality of their engraving, typography and decorative presentation. The Scottish maps derived from Pont's surveys remain among the most important early printed representations of the country.
A very attractive original seventeenth-century map, with particular appeal to collectors of Scottish cartography and to those with connections to the Inner Hebrides and the islands of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna.
The map is framed under glass with substantial card mounts within a wooden frame, with two metal hanging fittings to the rear. An informative previous dealer or collector's label relating to Timothy Pont, Joan Blaeu and the map is attached to the backing board.
Condition is good for its age. The map has general age toning and some scattered spotting, staining and discolouration, including areas around the original central fold. There are several old creases and small areas of wear, together with a few minor marks and blemishes. A small area of old repair or reinforcement is visible towards the lower centre at the margin. The original central vertical fold remains apparent, as expected for a map originally issued bound within an atlas. The hand colouring remains attractive and quite bright, particularly to the islands, title cartouche and decorative scale cartouche. The map has not been removed from its frame for examination and consequently the concealed margins and reverse have not been inspected.
Overall, despite the expected signs of its considerable age, this remains an impressive and highly decorative example of one of Blaeu and Pont's fascinating maps of seventeenth-century Scotland.
Approximate dimensions:
Framed: 619mm high x 738mm wide.
Visible map/print area: 417mm high x 540mm wide.
Framed under glass and supplied as shown.
Weight: approximately 3.5kg (including frame).