Willem Janszoon Blaeu was born at Alkmaar in 1571 and trained in astronomy and the sciences by Tycho Brahe, the celebrated Danish astronomer. He founded a business in Amsterdam in 1599 as a globe and instrument maker. He also published maps, topographical works and books of sea charts. In 1630 he published a 60-map volume with the title Atlantis Appendix. Five years later the first two volumes of his planned world atlas, Atlas Novus or the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum were issued. About this time he was appointed Hydrographer to the East India Company.

In 1638 Blaeu died and his sons, Joan and Cornelis, continued his work. The whole series of 6 volumes was eventually completed about 1655. In 1645 Joan Blaeu published his first atlas of the counties of England and Wales , which comprises Vol. IV of the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. The atlases appear in various language editions. The sheet showing the islands of Jersey and Guernsey is entitled: “Sarnica Insulavulgo Garnsey et Insula Caesarea vernacule Jarsey”. In the cartouche the attendant figures are a shepherd, a shepherdess and sheep. Five excellently drawn sailing ships grace the Mare Britannicum Anglis (The British Sea). On the island of Garnsey are seen the same features and names as in the Mercator and Speed maps.