TRUE FIRST STATE. Lucas Janszoon Waghenaer (c.1553-1606) was one of many Dutchmen who sailed the trading waters from Holland as far afield as Spain and the Baltic Sea. He retired from the sea in 1579 and began production of charts using the knowledge he had gained. Part one of the ‘Spieghel der Zeevaerdt’ was published to critical acclaim in 1583, the second part followed in 1585. They are the first modern published sea charts and were engraved by the van Deutecom brothers. They were both functional and of great artistic merit.

This chart depicting the coast of England from Deal to Orford Ness is orientated with west to the top. With ornamental cartouches, a compass rose, ships and sea monsters, all beautifully engraved by Jan van Doetichum. It is published in Leiden by the Plantin Press. This is an example of the first state before the addition of a Latin title, however it is now known that two states exist like this. In this new first state the toponym of Rochester is placed clearly above the Medway River, on the second it is re-engraved to be below it. The presence of the pagination 23 on the reverse indicates that this example comes from the true first edition of 1584 as there was a second edition issued later in the same year. Published in the De Spieghel der Zeevaerdt. Koeman (1967-70) IV p. 474 no. 23a & 464-9.