J. Blaeu, Volume 2 of the Atlas major "Nuevo Atlas de Las Partes Orientales de Europa”. Amsterdam, Joan Blaeu, 1659. Folio (55,2 x 35,6 cm). Early coloured pictorial engraved title page, 1 leaf, 64, 74 pp. 1 leaf with hand-coloured engraved pictorial title and 29 hand-coloured maps. Contemporary publisher’s gilded Dutch vellum with remains of silk ties (extremities rubbed, a few brown spots on back cover, somesigns of use).
 
Very beautiful early coloured second volume of the 5-volume Spanish language “Atlas Major” published from 1659 to 1672. The Spanish edition is quite rare because most of the production was destroyed by a fire at the Blaeu printing house in 1672.
This volume covers Eastern Europe including Russia.
 
The 'Atlas Major' is a renowned collection of maps and geographical works created by the Dutch cartographer Johannes Blaeu during the Golden Age.
 
In particular, this volume provides detailed maps and geographical information about the regions situated in the eastern part of the European continent. Published Amsterdam in 1659, this beautiful and decorative edition "Nuevo Atlas de las partes Orientalis en Europa" features a meticulous compilation of maps, illustrations, and geographical descriptions that offer insight of the Eastern regions of Europe.
 
This edition is in Spanish and the copper engraving have been early hand-coloured. Johannes Blaeu (1596-1673) was a master cartographer of his time, and his works are celebrated for their accuracy, artistic quality, and attention to detail. Blaeu was the founder of the Blaeu publishing firm, which produced some of the most exquisite and accurate maps and atlases of the 17th century. 
 
The condition of this atlas is slightly bumped and soiled, some dampstaining to the lower margins throughout and occasionally at the upper corners, with hardly any intrusions into the printed areas.