Blaeu's 'The Grand Atlas of the 17th Century World'

Saturday, December 6th, 2008

In my last note I wrote about books. Now I wish to tell you of the most beautiful book I own. The name is in the title. It is without peer at least in my book collection. Vanessa gave it to me as a Christmas present.

The original version was published in 1662 and remains the largest atlas ever produced with over 600 maps. It was also the most expensive book sold in the 17th century. But all that does not matter to me.

My reproduction contains 100 maps and the fine print is so small that I need a magnifying glass. But, just like those maps in my first stamp album, I look and run my fingers over them, close my eyes and dream.