It was not until the year 1603 that he undertook the preparation of a celestial globe to serve as a companion of his first terrestrial. This he dedicated, “Illustrisso Principi ac Domiōauritio, Principi Auraico Comiti de Naussau etc., Marchioni Veriae et Flissingae etc., Domino suo Clementissimo, Hos astriferum, stellarum arte coelo deductarum, coelum Gratus M.O.D.D.C.Q. Guilielmus Jansonius Alcmarianus.” “To the Illustrious Prince and Lord D. Maurice, Prince of Orange, Count of Nassau, etc., Marquis of Veria and Flissingen, etc., his Most Benign Lord, this globe of the stars brought down from heaven by art is gratefully dedicated by its maker with dutiful mind. Willem Jansz. Alcmar.” In his title legend he makes particular reference to his teacher Tycho, which legend reads: “Sphaera stellifera. In qua ut speculo quondam firmamenti Universaum Syderū ornatum ac stellarum ordinem summa, qua fieri potuit, industria a Guilielmo Jansonio, magni Tychonis quondam discipulo, accuratissime disposititum: earumque numerum multo quam hactenus, auctiorem ex observationibus recens. a Nob. viro D. Tychone Brahe, astronomo incōparabili, habitis, depromta anno 1600, et quo deinceps seculo, accommodata intueri liceat.” “Celestial sphere. Herein as in a mirror all the stars of the firmament are depicted, and in proper order with the greatest possible industry and accuracy by Willem Janson the former pupil of the great Tycho: their number much increased from recent observations made by the noble D. Tycho Brahe, that incomparable astronomer, taken from his observations made in the year 1600, and made with an accommodation for the coming century.” Near this cartouch is a portrait of the great astronomer with his favorite motto, “Non haberi, sed esse.” Near the south pole we find a reference to recent astronomical discoveries in the following words: “Habetis hic, Astronomum studiosi, trecentas et plures antarctici mundi vertici viciniores stellas, ex observationibus secundum jam a Frederico Houtmanno, majori studio et accommodatioribus instrumentis, ad stellas a Tychone positas factis, depromptas: auctiori numero et accuratiori dispositione vestro commodo et delectationi depictas A. 1603.” “Thou hast here, O student of astronomy, more than three hundred stars, that are nearest the pole of the antarctic world, from the observations made by Frederick Houtmann with further study and with more suitable instruments, along with the stars that were located by Tycho: this increased number and this more accurate location having been set down for your use and delight in the year 1603.” He adds here and there a brief legend in which he directs attention to recently discovered stars.
The purchase of a pair of these globes, that of 1599 and of 1603, was reported in the year 1885 by Dr. Baumgärtner,[31] who refers to them as having a diameter of 34 cm., as being well mounted and artistically colored. On the first, he notes, are represented sea monsters swimming in the oceans, and the natives of many of the little known regions appear in picture, as, for example, in the region of Patagonia, near which appears the legend, “Patagonae regio ubi incolae sunt gigantes.” “The region of Patagonia where giants live.” Greenland is laid down as a small island, as is also Corea. The region of Bering Sea shows clearly how inexact was the knowledge of the North Pacific in his day, and the same inexact geographic knowledge of the southernmost region of South America and of Australia is strikingly recorded. There are slight differences apparently existing between Dr. Baumgärtner’s globes and certain other known copies of the same date, but differences which are of no special significance.
A pair of these globes was announced in the sales catalogue, “Geographie cartographie & voyage, 1891,” of Frederik Muller of Amsterdam. A geographical record on the terrestrial globe clearly indicates that it was not issued, however, until after 1616, although dated 1599, since it contains a reference to the Van Schouten voyage of 1615-1617. It was on this voyage, says Van Schouten in his ‘Journal,’ that he gave the name “Staten Lant” to that region on the left as one enters the Lemaire Strait, and the name “Isle of Barnevelt” to the island discovered in this strait.[32] Both of these names appear on this globe. It has in addition an interesting legend which might be taken to suggest that the globe was not constructed until the year 1682, although the gores, save for this legend, may have been printed much earlier. This legend reads, “’t Amsteldam by Joannes van Ceulen, Joanniszoon op de hoek van de Mol-steegh, in de Nieuwen Atlas, werd gedruckt en op nieu uytgegeven met Praevilegie ... alle de Globes en Spaeren by den Heer Joan Blaeu Zal. nagelaten. Ao. 1682.” The celestial globe seems to agree with other known copies.
Two copies of the terrestrial globe of 1599 and two of the celestial of 1603 may be found in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of Nürnberg. A pair may be found in the Biblioteca Angelica of Rome and a pair, reported to be in good condition, belongs to the Biblioteca Comunale of Fano. Adam Kästner reports, in his ‘Geschichte der Mathematik,’ the purchase of a pair of this first edition of Blaeu’s globes.[33] According to a catalogue entry of objects belonging to the University of Leiden in the year 1716 there is reference to two pairs of Blaeu’s globes. Only one pair of these, however, seems now to be known, which pair a few years since was removed to the Astronomical Observatory.[34]
In the year 1602 Blaeu issued a terrestrial and a celestial globe, each having a diameter of 23 cm. In a legend on his terrestrial globe he refers to it as an improvement, doubtless meaning that he had undertaken to bring its geographical records to date. This globe he dedicates as follows: “Noblisis Illustris Hollandiae Zelandiae ac Westphrisiae ordinibus, P.P.P. Clementissis hanc terrae marisque aphaerum summa diligentia accuratissime fabricatam: debiti honoris gratique animi testimonium L.M.D.D.D. Amstelodami. Guilielmus Jansonius Blaeu. anno 1602.” “To the Most Noble, Most Illustrious Princes of Holland, Zeeland and West Friesland, Most Benign Rulers. This sphere of the earth and sea, accurately constructed with the utmost care is dedicated by Willem Jansz. Blaeu of Amsterdam as a testimony of honor due and of a grateful mind. In the year 1602.” Over this legend have been placed the coats of arms of the three provinces designated and near it a legend reading, “En denuo studiose Geographiae, terrestrem contractioriforma globum, multo, quam ante hac unquam, emendatius et auctius confectum: a ventorum spiris navigantium comodo, exquisitius adornatum: nec non navigationis curriculo, ab Oliverio van Noort Batavo in orbem peracto, notatum. Auctor Guilielmo Iansonio Blaeu.” “Here again, O student of geography, thou hast a terrestrial globe in smaller size, much smaller than ever before, and more accurately and completely furnished, having the spiral directions of the winds (the loxodromes) represented for the use of navigators. These have been carefully drawn, and there is also indicated the course of circumnavigation of the Dutchman Oliver van der Noort.[35] Willem Jansz. Blaeu author.” Van der Noort, to whom reference is made in this legend, had started out in the year 1598, hence his expedition was a recent event and was therefore thought worthy of reference. He sailed through the Strait of Magellan, reached the Indies of the East, and with four of his original ships returned to Holland in the year 1601. Blaeu, as he states, marked on his globe the course of this expedition. The celestial globe constructed as a companion of the former has a similar dedication reading, “Nobilisis Illustis Hollandiae Zelandiae Westphrisiae Ordinibus D. D. suis Clementisis hunc astriferum inerrantium stellarum globum, summa cura et industria adornatum debiti ossequii et gratitudinis ... D. D. D. Guilielmus Jansonius Blaeu.” “To the Most Noble, and Illustrious Princes of Holland, Zeeland, and West Friesland, Most Benign Rulers: this celestial globe of the fixed stars, prepared with the greatest care and industry is dedicated as a gift of obedience due and of gratitude. William Jansz. Blaeu.” A legend somewhat descriptive in character near the former reads, “Habes hic Astrophile stellarum inerantium ex certisis D. Ticho Brahe (mei quondam praeceptoris) observationibus numero et dispositione prae aliis an̄o 1600 accomodatarum sphaeram accuratissime expolitam et Australibus asterismis quod novum a Federico Houtmano observatis exornatam. Auctor Guilielmo Janso Blaeu.” “Thou hast here, O lover of the stars, a globe of the fixed stars from the most accurate observations of D. Tycho Brahe (my onetime preceptor) in their number and disposition, besides other observations accommodated to the year 1600, finished and furnished with (a representation) of the southern stars which have of late been discovered by Frederick Houtmann. Willem Jansz. Blaeu author.” Stars varying in magnitude from the first to the sixth, receive each an appropriate representation or sign, and there is a separate distinguishing mark for the nebulae. To each of the constellations is given its Latin name. In addition to the forty-eight constellations of Ptolemy he gives the two sometimes referred to by the ancients, “Bernice’s Hair” and “Antinous,” adding, with names, more than ten constellations in the southern sky. A legend in the constellation “Cepheus” tells us, with reference to one of its stars, “Haec stupendae magnitudinis stella insolito fulgore anno 1572 in Cassiopeia sede amicuit.” “This star of great size and unwonted brilliancy appeared in the Chair of Cassiopeia.” In the constellation “Cygnus” is a legend reading “Novam illam stellam quae anno 1600 primum in pectore Cygni apparuit (atque etiam nunc immota parte) ex diligenti nostra ad eandem Lyrae lucidae observatione Longitudo 16° 15´, latitudo 55° 30´ labore comperimus.” “The new star which in the year 1600 first appeared in the breast of the Swan and to the present has not altogether disappeared, this we have located, by diligent search in Lyra long. 16° 15´ and lat. 55° 30´.”
By reason of the fact that so few copies of this issue are known to exist, it has been thought that for some reason Blaeu issued a very limited number. We know, however, that his terrestrial globes were highly valued and were much in demand, because of the care with which they had been prepared, because of the efforts to give information concerning the latest discoveries, and because of his representation of the loxodromic lines which made them of special value to navigators; that his celestial globes found favor by reason of the fact that he was known to be a pupil of Tycho Brahe, and that he himself was known to be a mathematician and astronomer of distinction. To the following known examples of the 1602 issue brief reference may be made. In the Accademia dei Concordi of Rovigo, Italy, there may be found a fine pair. The Stadtbibliothek of Nürnberg possesses a fine pair, reported by the librarian to be in excellent condition, and two copies of the celestial globe may be found in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum of the same city. A copy of the terrestrial globe is to be found in the collection of the Königliches Museum of Cassel, and one in the town of Rüdingen near Schaffhausen.
The Hispanic Society of America possesses, in its rich collection of globes, a fine example of Blaeu’s terrestrial of the year 1606 (Fig. [93]). It has a diameter of 13.5 cm., is mounted on a substantial wooden base, has a graduated meridian circle, half of which, however, is missing, a wooden horizon circle, on the upper surface of which is pasted an engraved slip of paper with the usual graduation, the calendar, and the names of the zodiacal signs. A legend in the great austral land which is called “Magallanica,” contains the date and refers to its dedication to Blaeu’s learned friend of Edam, Cornelius Petrius. This legend reads “Omnium virtutū genere ornatissimo viro Domino Cornelio Petreio ecclesiastae apud Edamenses vigilantiss. et mathematico eximio suo singulari hanc orbis sphaerae a se hoc modo delineatae L. M. Q. D. D. Guilielmus Blaeu. Anno D. 1606.” “To Dom. Cornelius Petrius, a man adorned with all virtue, a most vigilant ecclesiastic among the people of Edam and a mathematician of singular renown, Willem Blaeu dedicates this terrestrial globe now completed by him in the year 1606.” In the northern part of North America is the title legend reading “Nova et accurata terrae marisque sphaera denuo recognita et correcta a Guilielmo Blaeu.” “A new and accurate sphere of the earth and sea newly revised and corrected by Willem Blaeu.” The globe ball is of hollow metal thinly covered with a preparation of plaster on which have been pasted the twelve engraved gores extending from pole to pole. As in the case of the Muller copy of the issue of 1599 this one, though dated 1606, contains a record of the discoveries of the Van Schouten expedition, that is, the names “Staten Lant,” “I. Barnevelt,” and “Fr. le Maire,” discoveries made in the year 1616, as before mentioned.[36] The magnitude of the austral land is made to equal or to exceed that of the entire Old World, the most northern extension of which, in the East Indian region, bears the name “Nova Guinea.”[37] Its geographical information in general agrees with that so carefully recorded on the Blaeu maps. In the western and southern sections of North America the source of information has been largely Spanish, in the eastern the source has been French and English, and in the northeast almost entirely English. In the north Atlantic we still find “Brazil,” “Maides,” and “Frisland,” the mythical islands of the Zeno Brothers, and north of Europe a record of the attempts of the Netherlanders to reach “Nowaja Semlja.” For so small a globe the detailed geographical information given is very remarkable.
Fig. 93. Terrestrial Globe of Willem Jansz. Blaeu, 1606.