Nova Anglia Novum Belgium et Virginia

Old coloured map of New York, Virginia, Carolina. Printed in Amsterdam by J. Janssonius in 1636.

Reference 13001

Description

Influential map of the East Coast of North America, from Virginia to Nova Scotia.
Naming Manhattan and New Amsterdam. With beautiful old colors.

This early and influential map by Johannes Janssonius depicts the East Coast of North America from the Outer Banks of present-day North Carolina up to Nova Scotia. It is based on Johannes de Laet’s important 1630 map, engraved by Hessel Gerritsz for the Dutch East India Company. While Janssonius introduced some additional inland detail, he notably ignored Samuel de Champlain’s updated cartography—a deliberate omission reflecting both national rivalry and the dominance of Dutch mapping traditions at the time.

The map is historically significant for its early references to key settlements: “Manbattes” (Manhattan), “N. Amsterdam” (New York), and “Fort Orange” (Albany) highlight the Dutch presence along the Hudson (Noordt) and Delaware (Zuydt) Rivers. In New England, “Massachusetts” appears for only the third time in a printed map, and Plymouth—the English colony founded in 1620—is the sole European settlement shown. Virginia is rendered in great detail, with its many tributaries feeding into Chesapeake Bay, information derived from John Smith’s explorations in 1608–1609.

The representation of the Great Lakes is also remarkable: “Grand Lac” (most likely Lake Huron) and “Lac des Yroquois” (Ontario or Erie) are among the earliest printed depictions of the region. At the headwaters of the Delaware, Janssonius even inserted a fictitious lake—an illustration of how 17th-century cartography blended confirmed knowledge with speculation.

Widely distributed through Janssonius’ atlas, this map shaped Europe’s perception of North America for decades. Its artistic appeal is enhanced by decorative cartouches, compass roses, sailing ships, and a sea monster—hallmarks of the Dutch Golden Age of cartography.

First edition (of three), published from around 1636. With Latin text on verso.

Details

Cartographer	Johannes Janssonius
Title	Nova Anglia Novum Belgium et Virginia
Publisher, Year	J. Janssonius, Amsterdam, 1636
Plate Size	38.5 x 50.3 cm (15.2 x 19.8 inches)
Sheet Size	48.0 x 57.2 cm (18.9 x 22.5 inches)
Reference	Van der Krogt, P.: Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, 9310:1A.1; Burden, P.D.: The Mapping of North America No. 247, state 1.

Condition

Very wide margins with beautiful old coloring. Very good condition.

Cartographer

Johannes Janssonius also known as Jan Jansson was born 1588 in Arnhem, Netherlands. His father was a bookseller and publisher (Jan Janszoon the Elder). When he married the daughter of the cartographer Jodocus Hondius he also set up a business as book publisher in Amsterdam. His first map was published in 1616. Around 15 years later he set up a partnership with his brother in law Hondius add issued further editions of the Mercator/Hondius atlas. After his death in 1664, his heirs still have published several maps. Many of his plates have been acquired by Pieter Schenk and Gerard Valk.

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Johannes Janssonius: Nova Anglia Novum Belgium et Virginia.

Old coloured map of New York, Virginia, Carolina. Printed in Amsterdam by J. Janssonius in 1636.

North America - Janssonius, Johannes - Nova Anglia Novum Belgium et Virginia