Gerritsz, Hessel.

van der Heijden, 15.4, noting four institutional locations.

the condition of this lot is as described in the catalogue descr
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Hessel Gerritsz, later official map-maker to the Dutch East India Company (the VOC) was one of the most gifted engravers and mapmakers of his generation, and was trained by Willem Blaeu. Shortly after leaving Blaeu's employment in 1608, Gerritsz redesigned the Leo Belgicus to show a lion with four paws on the ground facing left, with the southern provinces of the Netherlands forming the head, and the northern provinces the hind-quarters.

Gerritsz prepared not one but two very similar plates, perhaps one for himself and one for Cornelis Claesz (see lot 51). The present version is the fourth state of the first plate, published by Jodocus Hondius in 1611. Again, this is the earliest obtainable state: van der Heijden records no example of state 1, is unable to locate the only example of state 2 and records two institutional examples of state 3.