Africa di G. Blaeu (1669)
The Dutch cartographer Blaeu John, an able cartographer as well as successful lawyer, is the son of Willem Blaeu, who began to learn the science mapping at the renowned astronomer Tycho Brahe and subsequently transmitted the passion to his children, so that John became the official cartographer Dutch East India Company. Among the many works produced in his printing house, the most famous are certainly the four large murals representing Europe, America, Asia and Africa. Each of them measuring 120x170 cm, and all are distinguished by the exquisite workmanship and the fineness of engraving. In right and left sides of each are engraved, eight on each side, sixteen representations of actors representing the local population. The south side contains twelve views of the city and outside the frame uses a geographical description of the Continent outlined. Oceanic expanses are repeated on multiple grounds deity marine fish, boats. All this contibuisce to make these maps objects of great interest both decorative and historical.
Size51"x79" - 120x170 cm
Signum Bookbindery
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Signum Bookbindery Our company, founded for almost two decades, is based on the principles for the use and disclosure of the historical-artistic and cultural tradition of Florentine craftsmanship; Signum realizes, in fact, high-quality products characterized by strict production at hand, from the pregevolezza materials, the refinement of design. Unique objects still closely tied to the historical manufacturing tradition of Florence, capable of arousing the pleasurable sensations of a distant and fascinating world, renewed each time, for example, the pleasant smell of leather to the touch or perception of granulation of the paper. In the last decade we have concentrated mainly on the production of leather bookbinding and paper keeping alive the link with the techniques and materials of the past with the wisdom of the historical craft tradition perpetrated on our master bookbinder, a talented craftsman who has increased its expertise and knowledge during long periods of activity as a restorer at the National Library in Florence. In our catalog are also present useful items to learn the ancient techniques a writer but also reproductions of historical maps of planispheres, as well as pleasing playful items like puzzles, dolls and colorful kaleidoscopes. The purpose of Signum since its inception has been to satisfy our customers with elegant and unique, but also pamper yourself with the pleasant and renewed evidence of our precious and illustrious past. |
