1650 Jansson Wind Rose, Anemographic Chart, or Map of the Winds
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Description: An exceptionally rare example of one of the earliest and most significant anemographic, or wind rose, charts to appear in the 17th century. This unusual chart represents a transitional point in the perception of direction, or to be precise, the transition from the wind rose to the compass rose. Early mariners in the Mediterranean defined direction by the names the various winds and the points from which they blew. This idea traces its roots to ancient Greece. Homer identified four cardinal winds, but as navigation and cartography advanced, more were added. This chart represents a full thirty-two named winds and a multitude of different wind systems. Each of the winds is identified by several different names in Greek, Latin, French, and Dutch. Each wind is additionally attached to both contemporary compass points, north west east and south, and a more sophisticated circle and degree system. In the areas surrounding the sphere, each wind is personified by a figure bearing the racial characteristics associated with the region or direction represented. The upper left quadrant, representing north, depicts bearded Germans or Scandinavians. The upper right, representing east, shows beardless dark skinned faces. The beardless and pale skinned figures in the lower left and right, representing west and south, are less distinguishable but may be intended to represent indigenous Americans and Greeks. This chart was published as plate 1 in Jansonnius' 1650 Atlas Maritimus or volume 5 in his Atlantis Majoris.
Date: 1650 (undated)
Source: Jansson, J., Atlantis majoris quinta pars, orbem maritimum seu omnium marium orbis terrarium…, c. 1650.
References: Koeman, C., Atlantes Neerlandici,Me 164, 1. Van der Krogt, P. (Atlantes), volume 1, page 426. Putman, R., Eary Sea Charts, plate 6. Van der Krogt, P. C. J., Koeman's Atlantes Neerlandici, P-Rose-1.
Cartographer: Jan Jansson or Johannes Janssonius (1588 - 1664) was born in Arnhem, Holland. He was the son of a printer and bookseller and in 1612 married into the cartographically prominent Hondius family. Following his marriage he moved to Amsterdam where he worked as a book publisher. It was not until 1616 that Jansson produced his first maps, most of which were heavily influenced by Blaeu. In the mid 1630s Jansson partnered with his brother-in-law, Henricus Hondius, to produce his important work, the eleven volume Atlas Major. About this time, Jansson's name also begins to appear on Hondius reissues of notable Mercator/Hondius atlases. Jansson's last major work was his issue of the 1646 full edition of Jansson's English Country Maps. Following Jansson's death in 1664 the company was taken over by Jansson's brother-in-law Waesberg. Click here for a list of rare maps from Jan Jansson or Johannes Janssonius.
Size: Printed area measures 22 x 17.5 inches (55.88 x 44.45 centimeters)
Condition: Very good. A couple of extremely minor worm holes, top center. Minor margin wear. Original centerfold. A couple of minor older creases. Minor marginal dampstaining - bottom left and right margins.
Code: Anemographica-jannson-1650 (Necessary for phone inquiries: 646-320-8650)
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