Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer
Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer was not only an expert cartographer but also an ace pilot. Born in 1534, Lucas was from Holland and actively participated in establishing the North Holland School.
He was one of the prominent personalities who helped in the initial development of the Nautical Chart in the Netherlands.Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer sailed extensively, and his 25-year sailing experience facilitated the creation of navigational charts that became famous all over the world. Spiegel der Zeevardt, or the Mirror of the Sea, his compilation of charts is not only effective but fantastically elaborated with pictures, navigating symbols, tidal details, sailing routes, etc. The compilation provided sailing directions of the Baltic and the North Sea.
In 1588, Waghenaer's 'Spieghel der Zeevaerdt' became more popular after it was translated into English and earned the name of Waggoner. He passed away in the year 1606.
"This work holds a unique place among the printed rutters of the sea in the 16th century because it is the first printed rutter with charts.
Further, it outranks any other rutter of its period with its splendid presentation of charts and text; as such, it stood as a model for the folio-size pilot-guides with charts in the 17th century. Thanks to the unparalleled skill of the engravers Baptist and Johannes van Deutecom, the original manuscript charts by Waghenaer were transformed into the most beautiful maps of the period. The composition and the adornment have greatly contributed to the splendor of what originally were simple sketch charts; the typography of the Plantijn printing house at Leiden further added to the quality of the book.
The text's concept follows the traditional composition of the 16th-century pilot guides, but the charts form a new element. One remarkable feature is the coastal profiles projected onto the land along the coasts, further elucidated by profiles drawn in the open areas of the charts.
There is no evidence that Waghenaer copied his charts from existing sources. Some of them must have been based on his personal observations and for the whole of the work he must have relied on his own rich experience in practical navigation". (Koeman).
'Spieghel der Zeevaerdt'
The first part of the 'Spieghel der Zeevaerdt' was printed in 1583, and reprinted four times in the first two years. The second volume was first printed in 1585. The first Latin edition was published in 1586. A French edition appeared in 1590.
After 1591, when Cornelis Claesz from Amsterdam took over the privilege, the 'Spieghel der Zeevaerdt' no longer sold. Waghenaer's Spieghel surpassed his original intentions; however, it was too big and expensive for the ordinary seaman.
In 1584 the first volume of the 'Spieghel der Zeevaerdt' sold for 4 guilders. The 'Theatrum' by Ortelius was sold for 12 guilders, which is proportional because it contained three times as many maps.