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Fine example of Vander Aa's map of the World, utilizing Casini's important north polar projection.
The map is a close copy of the extremely rare Cassini-Nolin map issued in 1696 which was one of the most carefully prepared and scientifically accurate maps of the period. The original was eight meters across as laid out on the floor of the Paris Observatory by the French Academy of Sciences. During the 1670s and 1680s, prolonged scientific observations were conducted throughout the world by the Academy, under Cassini's direction. Astronomical observations from over 40 stations throughout the world were gathered and compiled, including Edmund Halley's observations at the Cape of Good Hope, among others. Quebec, Goa and Peking were among the other more exotic locals.
Two states of the Nolin-Cassini map are known, each surviving in only a few examples. Vander Aa's edition of the map is richly embellshed with allegorical scenes.
Pieter van der Aa (1659-1733) was a Dutch mapmaker and publisher who printed pirated editions of foreign bestsellers and illustrated books, but is best known for his voluminous output of maps and atlases. Van der Aa was born to a German stonecutter from Holstein. Interestingly, all three van der Aa sons came to be involved in the printing business. Hildebrand was a copper engraver and Boudewyn was a printer.
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