Gelre.

Title

Gelre.

Description

Magnificent city map of Geldern with two coats of arms and a title cartouche with index. The city of Geldern is located on the border with the Netherlands in North Rhine-Westphalia.

c.

Artist

Blaeu (1571-1638)

Joan Guilliemus Blaeu was the eldest son of Willem Janszoon Blaeu (1571-1638), and was probably born in Alkmaar in the province of Noord-Holland in the final years of the 16th century. He was brought up in Amsterdam, and studied law at the University of Leiden before going into partnership with his father in the 1630s. Although his father Willem had cartographic interests, having studied under the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe and having manufactured globes and instruments, his primary business was as a printer. It was under the control of Joan that the Blaeu printing press achieved lasting fame by moving towards the printing of maps and expanding to become the largest printing press in Europe in the 17th century. By the 1660s the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum (or Atlas Maior as it had became known by this time) had expanded to between 9 and 12 volumes, depending on the language. With over 3,000 text pages and approximately 600 maps, it was the most expensive book money could buy in the later 17th century. The translation of the text from Latin into Dutch, English, German, French, and Spanish for several volumes created enormous work for those involved in typography and letterpress activities. It is estimated that over 80 men must have been employed full-time in the Blaeu printing house in Bloemgracht, not including engravers who worked elsewhere, with over 15 printing presses running simultaneously, and in 1667 a second press was acquired at Gravenstraat. At the same time as producing the Atlas Maior, Blaeu was also publishing town plans of Italy, maps for globes, and other volumes. At its peak the Blaeu press managed to produce over 1 million impressions from 1,000 copper plates within four years.

Historical Description

The first written mention as Gelleron in the Urbar A of Werden Abbey dates back to around 900. A Gerhard Flamens, who was granted Wassenberg by Emperor Henry II around 1020, was presumably the progenitor of the Counts of Geldern. The settlement was developed into a fortress with ramparts, moats and walls in the 13th century. The ramparts were named after the four cardinal points and had three gates, the names of which are still used today. Geldern was granted city rights in 1229. Geldern was the seat of the Counts and Dukes of Geldern until 1343 and the capital of the Upper Quarter until 1347. The town of Geldern has often been the subject of territorial disputes throughout its history. The War of the Spanish Succession took place from 1701 to 1713/1714. From 1794 to 1814, Geldern - like the entire left bank of the Rhine - was occupied by French troops. After the end of French rule and the return to Prussia (Congress of Vienna 1815). The past in the form of the Duchy of Geldern can still be recognized by the occasional, unofficial nickname “Herzogstadt” and the “Herzogtheater”. The town of Geldern in its current form was created during the municipal reform of 1969.