“Schouw-park aller scheeps-vlaggen des geheelen Water-Waerelds; vermeerderd met ruim 50 niewe, nooit voor dezen in ‘t lichte gebrachte; en verbeterd van veele grove fouten bij anderen begaan” [showcase of all ship flags of the entire water world; expanded with over 50 new ones, never before revealed, and corrected from many gross errors committed by others.] Copper engraving published by Gerard van Keulen in Amsterdam around 1720. With original hand colouring. Size: 51 x 79.5 cm.
This interesting overview displays the flags of seafaring nations, city-states, cities, royal houses, high officials, and trading companies from Europe, Africa, and Asia during the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1713) and the Great Northern War (1700–1721).
In total, 240 flags are shown. Of particular interest is the colour key in the bottom row intended for the colourist, instructing how to have the black ink-printed engraving coloured.
The title claims that 50 of the flags are new and never before “brough to the light”. Indeed, the flag in the top right corner of the left plate is that of “Niew Engeland.” This is believed to be one of the earliest recorded images of the flag of New England.
One of the “gross errors” that also Van Keulen didn’t correct, is the flag of the Chinese Empire on the bottom row. Depicted as a large whirlpool surrounded by eight decorations, it is an inaccurate interpretation of the Qing Dynasty flag, which was a dragon on a yellow field with eight banners.
For this edition, Gerard van Keulen used a copper plate that had already been used by Pieter Schenk in 1711 and expanded it with another 48 flags, making the print significantly larger.
Gerard van Keulen (1678–1726) was a maritime cartographer and publisher in Amsterdam. The son of publisher Johannes van Keulen (the elder) and trained by Claes Jansz. Vooght, he took over the family business at the corner of Nieuwe Brugsteeg in 1704 when his father retired. His innovation included the production of individual sea charts in the large format of 60 x 100 cm, which were often bound together into books of nautical charts. After his death, the business was continued by his widow and son Johannes II van Keulen.
Price: Euro 1.750,- (incl. frame)
