Pieter van der AA
began his career at Leiden in 1683 as a Latin trade publisher, publishing classical texts pertaining to medicine and science. His publications include; Naaukeurige versamling der gedenk-waardigste zee en land-reysen 1706, Atlas Nouveau 1710, and Galerie Agreable du Monde.
After 1700, van der Aa increasingly specialized in books on geography and travel.
He published composite atlases, a series of geographical descriptions of European countries, and some spectacular works. Between 1706 and 1708 he published the Naauweurige versameling der gedenkwaardigste zee- en land-reysen, in 28 volumes.
Many of Van der Aa’s publications are richly illustrated with maps and plates. He took over many copperplates and prints from other publishers such as Carel Allard and Frederik De Wit.
The composite atlases from his workshop contain a curious mixture of his own material, copies of maps from other publishers, and reprints made from old copper plates, now with his own imprint.
The Galérie agréable du monde, was completed in 1729, and comprised 66 parts, bound in 27 volumes. Van der Aa presented it as a good investment; after publication, the antiquarian value of the work would double, the more so since it was printed in a limited edition of only one hundred copies.