1640s 4-VOLS BLAEU NOVUS ATLAS Early ed. of Atlas Maior MUSEUM QUALITY 4-VOL SET WITH ALL 334 HAND-COLORED MAPS Start Price USD 185,000.00 Current Price USD 185,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, August 18, 2008 End Time Thursday, August 28, 2008 Location akron, OH See more about '1640s 4-VOLS BLAEU NOVUS ATLAS Early ed. of Atlas Maior' Description * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THESE ATLASES WERE OBTAINED LEGALLY AT AUCTION AND HAVE AN OFFICIAL AUCTION HOUSE RECEIPT WHICH I WILL BE GLAD TO SHOW TO SERIOUS BUYERS* * * * * * * * * * * * * *Authentic and complete 4-volume BLAEU NOVUS ATLAS of 1642-47 Exceptional set - Fine to Very Fine condition This is an original set - NOT A REPRINT 334 EARLY HANDCOLORED MAPS COLORING CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT SET COLORING CONSISTENT WITH BLAEU ALL ORIGINAL WIDE MARGINS NO TONING FIRST RANK AMONG 17TH CENT. ILLUSTRATED BOOKS GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC AND COMPLETE   Most map experts agree the greatest world atlas ever created was Blaeu's ATLAS MAIOR of 1665. It was a monumental work consisting of nearly 600 maps. What you are bidding on is an early edition of the ATLAS MAIOR...CONTAINING THE SAME MAPS FOUND IN THE ATLAS MAIOR. The set up for auction is the Dutch text edition of the Novus Atlas (Dutch title is "Toonneel des Aerdrycks") published in 1642 to 1647. What is unusual and especally desirable about this particular set of Blaeu atlases is that NOT ONE MAP IS MISSING and the set is in FINE TO VERY FINE CONDITION. When having the authenticity of the set verified by one of the biggest map dealers in the world he called them "...exceptional...a no-apologies set." All the major maps of the set are in Fine to Very Fine condition, including the extremely collectible and valuable America (one sold at auction last year in similar condition for just under $25,000.00) and the England map (Anglia Regnum) considered by many as the greatest map of England. The American maps are all present and accounted for and are also in Fine to Very Fine condition with huge, original margins. Blaeu maps are among the finest ever published. For good reason--Willem Blaeu insisted on using the best of everything when he published his atlases. He found the greatest cartographers, the greatest artists and draftsmen, he used the finest paper, the best bindings. The artwork depicted in the exquisite cartouches adorning the maps is by more than one artist...the finest of them looks as though Da Vinci or Michelangelo drew the figures, they are that good. And the handcoloring is as bright and vivid as the day it was executed. This set has been in a private family collection and out of sight for probably centuries...it just surfaced a short time ago. There is a bit of provenance in the form of an owner's inscription inside the front cover of Volume One. It is in Belgian and states that the owner is a man named Graff, and he is a Chief Justice of the Belgian Supreme Court. An expert who knows such things assures me the script is contemporary with 17th to early 18th century writing). Contact me direct at dezine4u@neo.rr.com for a photo of the inscription and more information if you so desire. Suffice it to say this is an exceptional offering...a unique opportunity for one lucky bidder. The books are in original publisher's vellum and measure 20 x 13-1/2 inches each. SHIPS FREE TO ANYWHERE IN LOWER UNITED STATES BUT BUYER PAYS FOR INSURANCE. WILL SHIP REGISTERED. INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING CALCULATED BY LOCATION (DISREGARD FLAT RATE STATEMENT) OHIO SALES TAX WILL APPLY NUVOMAD BOOKS SPECIALIZES IN COLLECTIBLE BOOKS AND MAPS IN VERY GOOD OR BETTER CONDITION   Place a Bid!