The Atlas Van der Hagen
This relatively unknown atlas from the Koninlijke Bibiotheek consists of four leather-bound volumes, each about 100 pages. They were collected at the end of the seventeenth century, probably by the Amsterdam merchant Dirk van der Hagen. The Atlas contains about 450 maps and prints from all parts of the world. They differ in size and are brilliantly coloured.

The Atlas Beudeker
This atlas derives its name from the wealthy Amsterdam merchant Christoffel Beudeker (1675-1756). The collection is devoted to the northern and southern Netherlands. The atlas consists of 27 parts of 100 to 150 pages, interspersed with a few large pages containing smaller prints. Twenty-four parts are located in the British Library in London.

Differences
Not only are the subjects of the two atlases different, but they are also put together in different ways. The method of compilation says something about the compilers and their ideas about the known world and about life.

Source for research
Collectors’ atlases are very precious, and their size and colouring make them highly vulnerable as well. High-quality atlases such as these are a rich source for research by historic cartographers, art and architectural historians, historians, cultural historians and geographers.