Lot 32 Details

Absolute Tuesdays: Old Maps and Vintage Prints 13 February 2024

Pieter (Pierre) van der Aa

Carte du Golfe...

Later hand-coloured copper engraving on paper

View Dimensions Without mount: 11.2 x 14 in (28.5 x 35.8 cm)
With mount: 18.2 x 21 in (46.3 x 53.5 cm)

Detailed map of the Maldives, Sri Lanka, and southern India, published in Leiden by Vander Aa.

The region is covered in great depth on the map, including topographical information. This amazing map shows the Maldives, Ceylon, and the southern portion of India. There is a rectangular picture frame cartouche in the bottom right corner. Depth soundings are given along the east coast. A few internal towns are shown on the map, but ports and regional borders are the main points of interest.

Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733)
Dutch publisher of atlases and maps Pieter van der Aa operated in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In 1659, Van der Aa was born in Leyden into a family of German Holstein stonecutters. It's interesting to note that the three van der Aa sons eventually got into the printing industry. Boudewyn was a printer, while Hildebrand was a copper engraver.

Van der Aa started working as an apprentice for a local bookseller at the age of nine. By the time he was twenty-one, he had printed, published, and held auctions. He was named one of the Booksellers Guild's High Commissioners in 1692. Van der Aa created thousands of maps during the course of his lengthy and distinguished career, including, between 1706 and 1708 a massive 28-volume atlas Naauweurige versameling der gedenkwaardigste zee- en land-reysen that included no fewer than 3,000 maps. Van der Aa created very few original maps; the majority were reproductions of earlier cartographers' work. Even so, Van der Aa's distinctive style, which combines exquisite engraving, odd projections, and exact detail—makes his rare original pieces extremely sought-after and readily identifiable. Additionally, he invented the cartography technique of isolating the artwork for the border from the map plate itself, allowing each map in a collection to have an identically ornate border without the need to re-engrave the intricate plates. Publishers like Brion de la Tour from the later 18th century employed this strategy with remarkable success.

The Galérie agréable du monde, which was finished in 1729, was divided into 66 sections and was bound into 27 volumes. Van der Aa portrayed it as a wise investment, pointing out that the work's antiquarian value would increase after publication — all the more so considering it was printed in a restricted edition of just 100 copies.

Van der Aa's highly regarded Nouvel Atlas was reprinted by the Dutch company Covens & Mortier after his death in 1733. These days, collectors find Van der Aa's work to be quite desirable due to its exquisite, delicate etching and unique projections.

This work will be shipped unframed

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Winning bid
$289
Rs 24,000
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 39 Details

Absolute Tuesdays: Old Maps and Vintage Prints 13 February 2024

Pieter (Pierre) van der Aa

L‘ Inde de ca Le ...

Later hand-coloured copper engraving on paper

View Dimensions Without mount: 12.9 x 15.7 in (33 x 40 cm)
With mount: 18 x 22.2 in (45.8 x 56.5 cm)

This exquisite map drawn at the height of the Mughal Empire's growth covers the majority of India and is surrounded by an exquisite frame border. Compass rose and ornate cartouche with scales, elephants and beehive-style homes on the lower right. Although the hue of the numerous historic princely states of the subcontinent serves as a distinguishing factor, most of these nations were by now ruled by Emperor Aurangzeb's Mughal Empire (reigned 1656-1707). The Mughals never succeeded in taking over all of southern India, but they did extend their influence there during Aurangzeb's rule. Most remarkably, their advance was halted by the powerful Kingdom of Mysore. The English, Dutch, Portuguese, French, and Danes were among the European powers that ruled over a large portion of the coastal regions at the same time. The map shows the locations of all of their many forts and trading sites.

The source of this map is La galerie agreable du monde. Tome premier des Indes Orientales, published by P van der Aa, Leyden, c. 1725. This well-known work is the largest print/map book ever published, having been released in 66 sections. In addition to frequently adding wide ornate borders, Van der Aa included plates by other publishers, including Blaeu, Visscher, de Wit, Meurs, Halma, Mortier, and Allard. Most likely the most expensive and comprehensive global mapping project ever undertaken. Reportedly, a mere 100 copies were produced. Reference: Phillips 2780 note; Koeman Aa9.

Pieter (Pierre) van der Aa (1659-1733)
He was one of the most active mapmakers and chroniclers of exploration expeditions in the Netherlands, who was stationed in the university town of Leiden. He produced bootleg copies of illustrated books and international best-sellers. However, his extensive body of work is most recognized for his atlases and maps. Van der Aa was born into a family of German Holstein stonecutters. It's interesting to note that the three van der Aa sons eventually got into the printing industry. Boudewyn was a printer, while Hildebrand was a copper engraver.

This work will be shipped unframed

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Winning bid
$1,157
Rs 96,000
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 43 Details

Absolute Tuesdays: Old Maps and Vintage Prints 13 February 2024

Pieter (Pierre) van der Aa

Royaume du grand ...

Later hand-coloured copper engraving on paper

View Dimensions Without mount: 11.4 x 13.7 in (29 x 35 cm)
With mount: 18.4 x 20.8 in (46.8 x 53 cm)

The Mughal Empire and all its dependent states, according to the accounts of the most trusted travellers. Recently made available to the public by Pierre van der Aa, a bookseller from Leiden.

Pieter (Pierre) van der Aa (1659-1733)
He was one of the most active mapmakers and chroniclers of exploration expeditions in the Netherlands, who was stationed in the university town of Leiden. He produced bootleg copies of illustrated books and international best-sellers. However, his extensive body of work is most recognized for his atlases and maps. Van der Aa was born into a family of German Holstein stonecutters. It's interesting to note that the three van der Aa sons eventually got into the printing industry. Boudewyn was a printer, while Hildebrand was a copper engraver.

This work will be shipped unframed

NON-EXPORTABLE

Winning bid
$651
Rs 54,000
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)

Lot 21 Details

Hindoostan Mapped: Absolute Tuesdays 8 June 2021

Pieter (Pierre) van der Aa

De Koninkryken...

View Dimensions
Pieter van der Aa, De Koninkryken van Guzaratte Cambaya en Mogol Tot aen Bengale en Pegu, Leiden, 1706
6.2 x 9 in (15.5 x 22.5 cm)

A small but detailed regional map of the mouth of the Ganges and neighbouring regions in the Bay of Bengal, illustrating the narrative of Nino da Cunha. Includes decorative cartouche and vignette. The map was used by Vander Aa to illustrate a Dutch Translation of Cunha's Voyage to the region.

"Pieter van der Aa (Leiden, 1659 - Leiden, August 1733) was a Dutch publisher best known for preparing maps and atlases. Pieter van der Aa began his career at Leiden in 1683 as a Latin trade publisher, publishing classical texts pertaining to medicine and science. As he progressed, he began to publish atlases and maps, compiling numerous multi-volume collections of works. His ambition to become Leiden's most famous printer was fulfilled in 1715 with his appointment to head printer for the city and its university. One of Pieter van der Aa's largest compilations relates to the history of Italy and Sicily, an area of immense personal interest." (Source: Wikipedia)

This work will be shipped unframed

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Winning bid
$305
Rs 21,660
(Inclusive of buyer's premium)