Antique map titled 'Pas kaart van de Noord Kust van Espaniola (..)'. Beautiful sea chart of the northern part of Hispaniola, western Cuba. The map includes the Turks & Caicos Islands and southern part of the Bahamas. Shows Guanahami or S. Salvador. Guanahani is an island in the Bahamas that was the first land in the New World sighted and visited by Christopher Columbus' first voyage, on October 12, 1492. It is not known precisely which island it was, and several theories have been put forth by historians. Guanahani is the native Taíno name; Columbus called it San Salvador. Originates from 'De Nieuwe Groote Lightende Zee-Fakkel'. Published by J. van Keulen, circa 1684.

The Van Keulens were a family of chartmakers and publishers. The firm, In de Gekroonde Lootsman (In the Crowned Pilot), was founded in 1678 by Johannes van Keulen (1654-1715). Van Keulen originally registered his business as a vendor of books and instruments (specifically cross-staffs). In 1680, however, he gained a privilege from the States of Holland and West Friesland for the publication of pilot guides and sea atlases. In that year, van Keulen released his Zee-Atlas (Sea Atlas), which secured him a name in the competitive maritime publishing market. In 1681, he published the first volume of Nieuwe Lichtende Zee-Fakkel (New Shining Sea Torch). This would be the first of an eventual five volumes originally published between 1680 and 1684. A sixth volume was added in 1753. The Zee-Fakkel won van Keulen lasting fame. The atlas had charts compiled by Claes Jansz Vooght and artwork from Jan Luyken. It proved immensely popular and was reprinted until 1783. There were translations in French, English, Spanish, and Italian.

Condition: Good. General age-related toning. Later hand coloring, blank verso. Few small tears, mainly in bottom margin. Top margin has been extended, repair on central vertical line. Both professional, and hardly visible. Please study images carefully.

Date: c.1684

Overall size: 61 x 54 cm.