Joost Hartgers (also Joost Hartgersz, Joost Hartgerts, or Ioost Hartgers; active c. 1637âÂÂ1655) was a Dutch bookseller and publisher of the 17th century in Amsterdam.
He is especially known for his publications of travel accounts, historical works, and maps, and played an important role in disseminating sources on Dutch colonial history, particularly in connection with the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC).
Only a few biographical details are known about Joost Hartgers. From 1637, he was active as a bookseller and publisher in Amsterdam, running a shop on the Dam, near the Stadhuis, at the corner of Kalverstraat. His period of activity is estimated to have been roughly from 1637 to 1655.
Michael S. Durham mentions in his book New York that the earliest image of New Amsterdam, the future New York, is based on drawings by Joost Hartgers from 1625 to 1626, showing about 30 simple houses, a windmill, a fort called Fort Amsterdam, and some ships off the coast. The only reason for the existence of this colony was the trade in beaver pelts: <blockquote> Es zeigt etwa 30 einfache Häuser, eine Windmühle, eine Burg namens Fort Amsterdam und einige Schiffe vor der Küste. Der einzige Grund für die Existenz dieser Kolonie war der Handel mit Biberfellen, die in Holland zu den beliebten Pelzmützen verarbeitet wurden. </blockquote>
Hartgers published a wide variety of printed works, including: