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Description

Important early map of the explorations in search of the Northeast Passage, engraved by Johannes & Baptista à Doeticum for Linschoten's " Voyagie, ofte schip-vaert, van Ian Huyghen van Linschoten, van by Noorden om langes Noorvvegen de Noortcaep, Laplant, Vinlant, Ruslandt, de VVitte Zee, de custen van candenoes, Svvetenoes, Pitzora. . . first published in Amsterdam in 1601.

The map illustrates the account of Willem Barentsz's first attempt to find the Northeast Passage to the Pacific, via the Arctic Seas above Russia in 1594, written from Linschoten's own experiences as a crew member. On the mainland of "Nova Hollandia" is "Linschotens hoeck" (headland); it was customary for features discovered from ships to be named after the spotter.

Schilder, MCN VIII, 8.17 describes the map thusly:

This map shows the sightings of the Russian mainland and Vaigach by the ships Zwann and Mercurius, commanded by Cornelis Cornelisz Nay and Brant Ijsbrandsz Tetgales. Jan Huygen van Linschoten had a commercial function on board. The map is oriented to the south and forms part of the Voyagie, ofte schip-vaert, van Ian Huyghen van Linschoten, van by Noorden om [...]

Oriented with north to the bottom, the chart is centered on Vaygach Island, with the Barents Sea on the right and the Kara Sea on the left. Titles, in Latin and Dutch, are within strapwork cartouches, across the seas are two finely engraved compass roses, whales, walruses, and galleons; over the land are five coats of arms.

Linschoten's Voyagie...

There is some debate as to why Linschoten was so late with the publication of his account of the first Barentsz voyages. His work was published three years after De Veer's definitive account (which included the third and most important voyage) was published by Cornelis Claesz in 1598.

Linschoten was apparently slated to go on the third Barentsz voyage but decided instead to go on the Houtman voyage to the East Indies. In the end, he went on neither voyage, for reasons which remain unclear to us.

There may have been some ill-will between Claesz and Linschoten following the former's publication of the De Veer account.

Condition Description
Small repaired loss at the top of the centerfold. Some minor toning and soiling, as illustrated.
Reference
Schilder, MCN VIII, 8.17