Brvxella - Janssonius (1657)

Description: Antique map, titled: 'Brvxella' - A very nicely coloured city plan of Brussels with the immediate surroundings. Fortifications and waterworks (as well as partly dry moat) are indicated, as well as a list of 82 buildings and places (in two cartouches in the lower left and right).

Johannes Janssonius' "Theatrum Urbium Celebriorum totius Belgii", Amsterdam: Johannes Janssonius, 1657. Two volumes, text in Latin on the rear. State: First state of three. Ref: Koeman (IV) 671 42:11 (1657 Janssonius).

Artists and Engravers: Cartographer: Johannes Janssonius. Johannes Janssonius also known as Jan Jansson was born 1588 in Arnhem, Netherlands. His father was a bookseller and publisher (Jan Janszoon the Elder). When he married the daughter of the cartographer Jodocus Hondius he also set up a business as book publisher in Amsterdam. His first map was published in 1616. Around 15 years later he set up a partnership with his brother in law Hondius add issued further editions of the Mercator/Hondius atlas. After his death in 1664, his heirs still have published several maps. Many of his plates have been acquired by Pieter Schenk and Gerard Valk. Salomon Savery (1594-1683) was an engraver from the Northern Netherlands.