Fig. 92. Portrait of Willem Jansz. Blaeu.
A record which finds general acceptance tells us that Willem Blaeu was born in the village of Alkmaar in the year 1571.[20] Of his childhood years very little is known. It was some time in his early boyhood that he went to Amsterdam, where he found employment, it appears, at first in the house of a Holland merchant, and later as a joiner’s apprentice. We can be certain neither of the time when he decided to leave Amsterdam, nor of the exact circumstances which induced him to visit the island of Hveen, then belonging to Denmark, an event of much significance in his life. We, however, cannot be far wrong in asserting the promptings for this visit to have been his early liking for mathematical, geographical, and astronomical studies. It was here that he first came into intimate relations with Tycho Brahe, the famous Danish astronomer, who, in the year 1576, through princely favor, came into possession of this island, and, as before noted, had erected here his remarkably well-appointed astronomical observatory, which he called Uranienburg.[21] For nearly a quarter of a century this was one of the most famous centers in all Europe for the study of astronomical science and of its practical application. Blaeu, however, was not the first of the young Netherlanders to find the way to Uranienburg to receive instruction from the great master.[22] Of his sojourn on the island we have but little direct information. It appears certain that he passed at least two years with Tycho, engaged the while in study and in the construction of mathematical and astronomical instruments. That the relations between the two distinguished scientists continued to be of the most friendly character after Blaeu returned to Amsterdam is very certain. Not a few of those who in later years praised Blaeu’s scientific attainments refer to him as “the pupil and longtime friend of Brahe,” and Blaeu himself, in certain legends appearing on his globes and maps, refers to him as his teacher. It cannot be doubted that Blaeu owed to his abode on the Island of Hveen the real foundation of his scientific knowledge, both in the field of geography and astronomy, as well as his knowledge of the construction and the skilful use of mathematical instruments. We have reason for believing that a number of the instruments which served the great astronomer in his investigations[23] were the work of Blaeu, and it is an interesting fact, as we know, that Brahe’s observations, here made, formed the basis for Kepler’s calculations, leading him to the discovery of the laws which immortalized his name.[24]
It was perhaps late in the year 1596 or early in the year 1597 that Blaeu returned to Amsterdam, where he soon established himself as a maker of mathematical instruments, of maps and of globes, and as an engraver and printer. There is good reason for thinking that from the first he prospered in his undertakings, and, from incidental references to his activities, it may be inferred that it was not long after 1600 he was in his own fully equipped house. From his presses numerous works were issued, the many examples of which, still adorning the shelves of most prominent libraries, are a monument to his great abilities.
On his ‘Paescarte,’ one of his earliest publications,[25] and usually referred to the year 1606, we read that it was “Ghedruckt t’ Amsterdam bij Willem Janssoon op’t Waeter inde Sonnewijser,” a location often referred to in certain later publications as “op’ t water In de vergulde Sonnewyser,” reference here being to the gilded sundial which, as a business sign, adorned the gable of his establishment. It appears that in this originally selected locality his work was carried on until the year 1637, when his entire plant was moved into more commodious quarters in the Blumengracht, one year only before his death. The sons, John and Cornelius, succeeded to the business, and to the former especially belongs the credit of issuing the most sumptuous atlas in that period of remarkable map making.[26] In the year 1672 practically the entire establishment was destroyed by fire.
Willem Blaeu’s training admirably fitted him to serve his country in matters pertaining to its maritime interests, and its calls as well as its rewards for service were not infrequent. As proof of the confidence that his contemporaries had in his knowledge of geography and navigation, the Estates General of Amsterdam, January 3, 1633, by resolution, appointed him Map Maker of the Republic, an honorable position held by him until his death, then being successively passed on to his son and to his grandson.[27]
We are told that Tycho had given to Blaeu a copy of his astronomical observations before their publication, that this copy was carried to Amsterdam, and that after a careful study of the records contained therein the latter began the practice of globe making.[28] The implication contained in this reference is that his first work as a globe maker was the preparation of material for a celestial globe, but no such globe of his, bearing date earlier than 1602, is known. His first dated work appears to have been a terrestrial globe of the year 1599. In many of its features it gives evidence that Mercator was the master followed, notably in the representation of the loxodromic lines which radiate from the numerous wind or compass roses, or from centers regularly placed on the surface of the globe.
This first issue has a diameter of 34 cm., which is less than that of Mercator’s globe of the year 1541, but greater than that of the Van Langren globe of the year 1585.[29] The gores, twelve in number, were cut seven degrees from the poles, the polar space being covered with a circular disc. Blaeu, as many other globe makers of his period, found that by thus dividing the engraved globe map a more nearly perfect covering for the sphere could be obtained. Meridians and parallels are drawn at intervals of ten degrees, the prime meridian passing through the island of Santa Maria in the Azores group. In a conspicuously placed cartouch he presents his address to the reader. “Spectatori meo S. Hanc terrae marisque faciem qui aspicis sic inspice ne dispicias: multa hic mutata, (sed nihil temere) quae, nisi attendas, facile fugiant. Ratio constructionis in multis nova, sed proba. Gibbum plano, planum globo commutavimus: duplicato labori: sed certiori: idque ut ventorum spirae justis per orbem trrarum gyris discurrerent: hinc factum ut in omnibus terrae oris praeter parallelorum et meridianorum etiam plagae ratio nobis fuerit habenda. Quae quidem omnia attento spectatori facile apparebunt. Vale et fruere. Guilielmus Jansonius Alcmariensis auctor et sculptor. 1599.” “Greeting to my observer. This representation of the earth and sea, which thou beholdest, be pleased to take note of in this manner. Many things here have been changed, but nothing without reason, and unless thou art attentive these things might easily escape thee. The method of construction is in many points new, but correct. We have changed that which is relief into the flat, and the flat into the globular, a double labor but more nearly correct, and we did this that the directions of the winds throughout the world might be given their proper (loxodromic) spirals: and we have made a representation of the coast lines of all shores of the earth, besides a representation of the parallels and meridians. All this will be seen by the attentive observer. Farewell, and may you be happy. William Jansz. Alcmar, author and sculptor. 1599.” Fiorini is of the opinion the expression “multa hic mutata” in the above quoted inscription indicates that the copies in which it is found are reprints of an earlier edition, and that it has been inserted for the purpose of keeping the globe on sale. Is not the reference rather to this simple fact that Blaeu borrowed much of his geographical information from others, as he admits, including Mercator and Van Langren, and that he had merely altered the same to the end of bringing his records to date? The dedication reads “Noblissimis, Amplissimis, Clarissimis, D. D. Dominis Ordinibus Foederatarum Inferioris Germaniae Provinciarum dignissimis fidis Patriae Patribus hoc terrae marisque Theatrum L. M. Q. Dat, Dicat, Dedicat Cliens Vester subjectis. Guilielmus Jansonius Alcmarianus.” “To the Most Noble, Most Distinguished, Most Illustrious, Lords of the United Provinces of Lower Germany, Fathers of their Country this representation of the land and the sea gives, grants, and delivers your humble client Willem Jansz. Alcmar.” It will be noted that the family name Blaeu was not employed in the signature, but instead Alcmar, the name of his native place. He apparently did not consider it essential always to employ the same name. Sometimes he gave this as Guilielmus Jansonius Blaeu, Guil. Jansz. Blaeu, Guiljelmus Blaeuw; sometimes he gave it as Guilielmus Janssonius Alcmarianus, or Guil. Jansz. Alcmar; sometimes as Guiljelmus Caesius or J. G. Caesius, in which he had classicized his name Blaeu; sometimes the name is coupled with that of the son as Guil. et Johan Blaeu. The legends on this globe are numerous which tell of great discoveries and explorations, of which the principal ones are here quoted from Baudet’s readings from the Leiden copy. Near the north pole we find “Hic tandem passi graviora Batavi, proxima tempestate diversum iam iter ingressi, nostrum altius mundi verticem versus progressi, ignotas quaerere terras, et si qua proprior ad Chinam aditus aggressi sunt. Mirum quid invenerint! immane quid evenerit! Sic, macte Proles Neptunia novisque honoribus hanc gentem nostram cumula, male coepisti, si hic sistas. Durum hoc, sed perdura, nec cede malis sed contra audentior ito. Fata viam expedient.” “As far as this, after suffering great hardships, the Dutch, in recent times have progressed toward the top of the world, seeking unknown lands, and if there is any shorter way to China. Wonderful are their discoveries! Strange things have happened! Go on, O blessed progeny of Neptune, and add new honors to our race. You have begun ill if you stop here. It is a hard task, but endure. Do not yield to misfortune, but on the contrary be more daring. Fate will clear the way.”
In the same locality “Immortale nomen & gloriam incomparabilem vobis, Columbe et Americe comparastis, Qui primi has terras (alteram orbis partem) tot iam secula latentes adire, detegere, lustrare et utinam perlustrare voluistis: Fructs vero maximos multis perperistis.” “Ye have gained an immortal name, and incomparable glory for yourselves, Columbus and Americus, who were the first to approach these lands to discover and disclose them (the other part of the world) unknown for so many centuries, and I would that you had desired to explore them. You have brought forth much fruit for the many.” Another reads, “Magnam porro gloriae partem Ferdinande Magellane, iure tibi vendicas: cui ... vastae regionis Australem terminum quaerere eamq. freto cognimini nobis perviam facere lubuit & licuit.” “A large share of the glory thou doest rightly claim, O Ferdinand Magellan, to whom it was pleasing and to whom it was allowed to seek the southern bounds of a vast region, and to open the Strait for us that bears thy name”; also a legend referring to the Cortereals, “Utinam vero par eventus Casparo Cortereali contigisset, qui iam ante maiori conatu quam successu transitum a Borea attentaverat: et quoties Britannis idem fervide molientibus et aeris iniutiis gradum revocare coactis.” “I wish that like success had come to Gaspar Cortereal, who before, with greater effort than achievement attempted to find a passage by way of the north. Likewise to the British (I wish success) strenuously attempting the same but forced to retreat by reason of adverse weather.”
As in the issue of his sheet maps, Blaeu was not always careful to add an exact date of preparation, in the majority of instances, indeed, omitting the date altogether, so also in the issue of his globes he frequently omitted dates or gave one which we know to have been later than was that of the original issue. His geographical records serve us, however, as fairly accurate guides in the determination of these dates, and what was so frequently true of the globes he constructed in the last years of his life was true of this his first. We have, for example, copies of this bearing date 1599, which contains geographical records of the year 1616, indicating therefore a later reprint with a few alterations.