Atlas Maior - Hollandia et Belgica Maps of Holland and Belgium from JoanBlaeu's exquisite world atlas of 1665 The Atlas Maior, thecartographical masterpiece of the Baroque period, was brought out between1662 and 1665 by the Amsterdam publisher Joan Blaeu, one of Holland'sleading cartographers. Originally appearing in Latin, the atlas comprised594 maps in 11 volumes, which depicted the whole of the world as known toearly modern Europe. It was the largest and most expensive book publishedduring the 17th century. For more than 100 years it remained the definitiveatlas of the world, and today is among the most sought-after and valuableantiquarian rarities. This reprinted edition in six volumes is based on thehand-colored, gold-heightened copy in the OesterreichischeNationalbibliothek in Vienna, thus ensuring the best possible detail andquality. Alongside Joan Blaeu's original commentaries on the individualmaps, a new text by Peter van der Krogt explains the historical andcultural associations and introduces the reader to the fascinating world ofearly modern cartography.