Klencke Atlas - Joan Blaeu - 1660
Perplexity | Summary of the Klenke Atlas The Klencke Atlas, created in 1660 in the Netherlands, is one of the largest and most famous atlases in the world, measuring nearly 1.76 meters tall and almost 2 meters wide when open. It was commissioned as a monumental diplomatic gift for King Charles II of England upon his restoration to the throne. The atlas was presented by Johannes Klencke, head of a group of Dutch sugar merchants, likely hoping to secure favorable trade agreements with England.wikipedia+3The atlas contains 41 detailed copperplate wall maps representing the latest global geographical knowledge of the Dutch Golden Age, with contributions by renowned cartographers such as Joan Blaeu and Hondius. The maps depict continents, the heavens, and European states, with rich illustrations and artistry emblematic of 17th-century Dutch cartography. Its craftsmanship and sheer scale symbolized both intellectual authority and diplomatic goodwill.mapdesign.icaci+3After residing among Charles II’s prized possessions, the atlas remained in royal collections for over 150 years before being transferred to the British Museum in 1828 and then to the British Library, where it was digitized and publicly displayed in the 21st century. The Klencke Atlas endures as a symbol of the era’s ambition, artistry, and international relations.thisiscolossal+2https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klencke_Atlashttps://www.rarebookhub.com/articles/917https://mapdesign.icaci.org/2014/08/mapcarte-235365-the-klencke-atlas-by-joan-blaeu-1660/https://www.facebook.com/GoodwillLibrarian/posts/the-klencke-atlas-is-one-of-the-largest-books-on-earth-the-volume-is-six-feet-ta/1147437870109658/https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2017/05/how-the-british-library-digitized-one-of-the-worlds-largest-books/https://aesthetictriangle.com/2024/05/26/the-klencke-atlas-a-monumental-gift-to-charles-ii/https://www.rarebooksocietyofindia.org/postDetail.php?id=196174216674_10155098077386675https://pixeum.org/exhibits/63https://www.openculture.com/2015/09/behold-the-largest-atlas-in-the-world-the-six-foot-tall-klencke-atlas-from-1660.htmlhttps://www.fastcompany.com/90124226/this-book-of-maps-is-bigger-than-youhttps://www.davidrumsey.com/luna/servlet/detail/RUMSEY~8~1~305306~90075931:Index---Klencke-Atlas--?sort=datehttps://www.reddit.com/r/ArtefactPorn/comments/1ajr2mv/one_of_the_worlds_largest_atlases_klencke_atlas/Text from David Rumsey: "The Klencke Atlas resides at the British Library and we are grateful to them for providing scanned images of the atlas and complete catalog metadata as part of a joint project to scan and catalog the maps and atlases from the low countries of Europe that are part of the King George III Topographical Collections. The Klencke Atlas is one of the world's biggest: it measures 176 x 231 cm when open.It takes its name from Joannes Klencke, who presented it to Charles II on his restoration to the British thrones in 1660. Its size and its 40 or so large wall maps from the Golden Age of Dutch mapmaking were supposed to suggest that it contained all the knowledge in the world.At another level, it was a bribe intended to spur the King into granting Klencke and his associates trading privileges and titles.Charles, who was a map enthusiast, appreciated the gift. He placed the atlas with his most precious possessions in his cabinet of curiosities, and Klencke was knighted.Later generations have benefited too. The binding has protected the wall maps which have survived for us to enjoy - unlike the vast majority of other wall maps which, exposed to light, heat and dirt when hung on walls, have crumbled away.Titled 'Orbis Terræ Compendium, Carolo Secundo dedicatum a I. Kliencke. i.e. a Collection of Maps by Blaeu, Hondius, Visscher, &c. One Volume 5 feet 10 inches by 3 feet 2 inches." https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/massive-...
