It was perhaps late in the year 1596 or early in the year 1597 that Blaeu returned to Amsterdam, where he soon established himself as a maker of mathematical instruments, of maps and of globes, and as an engraver and printer. There is good reason for thinking that from the first he prospered in his undertakings, and, from incidental references to his activities, it may be inferred that it was not long after 1600 he was in his own fully equipped house. From his presses numerous works were issued, the many examples of which, still adorning the shelves of most prominent libraries, are a monument to his great abilities. On his ‘Paescarte,’ one of his earliest publications,[25] and usually referred to the year 1606, we read that it was “Ghedruckt t’ Amsterdam bij Willem Janssoon op’t Waeter inde Sonnewijser,” a location often referred to in certain later publications as “op’ t water In de vergulde Sonnewyser,” reference here being to the gilded sundial which, as a business sign, adorned the gable of his establishment. It appears that in this originally selected locality his work was carried on until the year 1637, when his entire plant was moved into more commodious quarters in the Blumengracht, one year only before his death. The sons, John and Cornelius, succeeded to the business, and to the former especially belongs the credit of issuing the most sumptuous atlas in that period of remarkable map making.[26] In the year 1672 practically the entire establishment was destroyed by fire. Willem Blaeu’s training admirably fitted him to serve his country in matters pertaining to its maritime interests, and its calls as well as its rewards for service were not infrequent. As proof of the confidence that his contemporaries had in his knowledge of geography and navigation, the Estates General of Amsterdam, January 3, 1633, by resolution, appointed him Map Maker of the Republic, an honorable position held by him until his death, then being successively passed on to his son and to his grandson.[27] We are told that Tycho had given to Blaeu a copy of his astronomical observations before their publication, that this copy was carried to Amsterdam, and that after a careful study of the records contained therein the latter began the practice of globe making.[28] The implication contained in this reference is that his first work as a globe maker was the preparation of material for a celestial globe, but no such globe of his, bearing date earlier than 1602, is known. His first dated work appears to have been a terrestrial globe of the year 1599. In many of its features it gives evidence that Mercator was the master followed, notably in the representation of the loxodromic lines which radiate from the numerous wind or compass roses, or from centers regularly placed on the surface of the globe.