Maps

Title: 1771 Jacques-Nicolas Bellin Map of the Moluccas, the Spice Islands of Indonesia Description: This finely engraved eighteenth-century map, titled Carte Particulière des Is...

Title: 1705 Sanson Map of Southern India and Malabar with an Inset Map Description: This finely engraved and beautifully hand-colored antique map, published in 1705, depicts south...

1711 Star Chart of the Southern Sky - "Mappa Stellarum Australium quae in Altitudine Poli Borei Graduum" This beautiful star chart, engraved by Arnold van Westerhout in 1711, shows ...

Antique map titled 'Diversa Orbis Terrae. Visu Incedente per Coluros Tropicorum, Ambos Ejus Polos, et Parciularis Sphaerae Zenith, in Planum Orthographica Projectio (..) Plat Ontwerp van verscheyde Aert-klooten (..)'. One of the earliest Dutch World Maps to focus on a more modern cartographic style, based on Carel Allard's map of 1696. This map represented a noteworthy shift from the traditional decorative Dutch 17th century maps where the margins would be full of classical mythological...

Antique map titled 'L'Asie Suivant les Nouvelles Decouvertes (..).' Interesting and very unusual map of the Asian continent. The map is based primarily on Dutch sources, particular...

Palermo – 1620 Braun & Hogenberg Bird’s-Eye Map of Palermo, Sicily This beautifully detailed bird’s-eye view of Palermo, Sicily, was created by Georg Braun and Frans Hogenberg aro...

Antique map titled 'Novissima Totius Terrarum Orbis Tabula, Auctore Nicolao Visscher'. Gorgeous example of Nicholas Visscher's World map, which appeared...

This is an exquisite antique bird's-eye view map of Hangzhou, historically referred to as "Xuntien or Quinzay," from the first edition of Matthäus Merian's publication in 1638. This ...

Antique map titled 'Imperii Sinarum Nova Descriptio'. Beautiful map of China and Korea, much detail troughout the map. Including the Islands of Formosa (Taiwan) and Hainan. The Great...

Antique map titled 'L'Empire des Turcs'. Old map of the Turkish Empire with an inset of the North African regions. Originates from 'Atlas Nouveau Portatif' by G.L. le Rouge. Artis...

Antique map titled 'Perse, Turquie Asiatique et Arabie (..)'. Map of the Middle East with a large Arabia, extending from the Black Sea to the In...

This miniature map of the East Indies and Nova Guinea was created by Abraham Ortelius and published in 1601 as part of the "Epitome" by Giovanni Battista Vrients. It is a finely hand...

Antique map titled 'Plan de Jedo - Platte Grond van Jedo'. A detailed street map of the city of Edo (modern Tokyo) in Japan, originally engraved by Bellin and Schley and reissued for...

Antique map titled 'Italie volgens de allernieuwste Uitgave van den Heere d'Anville'. Very detailed antique map, based on D'Anville's important map of It...

"1573 Abraham Ortelius Map of Tartary, Japan, and Western North America" Description of the Map: This is an outstanding example of Abraham Ortelius' map titled "Tartariae Sive Magn...

Antique print titled 'Abbildung der Statt Rom/wie sie under Keyser Vespasiano und zu Plinii zeiten gewesen'. Woodcut of ancient Rome. This print originates from Munster's Cosmographi...

Antique map titled 'Karte von Fes und Marócos (..)'. Original old map of Fez (or Fes) and Morocco. Also shows the Strait of Gibraltar. By Friedrich Gottlieb Canzler, published 1799.

Antique map titled 'Carte de Normandie (..)'. Attractive map of Normandy, France. it depicts the former French Duchy of Normandy, covers the region fro...

Great map of Ancient Greece. Showing the region of Boeotia, including Thebes Drawn by J.D. Barbie Du Bocage Copper plate engraving by P.F T...

Antique map titled 'A New Map of the East Indies'. Old map covering all of Southeast Asia from Persia to the Timor Island, inclusive of the modern day nations of India, Ceylon, T...

Rigobert Bonne and G. Raynal's 1780 map of the West Indies, Gulf of Mexico, Antilles, and the Caribbean stands as a remarkable cartographic piece, offering a detailed and expansive v...

Antique miniature map titled 'Illyricum'. Original small map of Illyricum. The Roman province of Illyricum stretched from the Drilon River (the Drin, in...

Antique map titled 'Dominia Anglorum in praecipuis Insulis Americae ut sunt Insula S. Christophori, Antegoa, Iamaica, Barbados nec non Insulae Bermudes vel Sommers dictae. Die Englis...

Set of four antique maps of Asia: 1) Asia plate 6, Part of China, Tibet and Tartary 2) Asia plate 2, Japan, Corea, the Monguls and part of China 3) As...

Title: 1720 Chatelain Map of the Holy Land with Biblical Family Trees and Chronology Description: This fascinating 18th-century folio map by Henry Abraham Chatelain combines geo...

An antique map of the Tuscan city of Pisa engraved for The 'Itinerarium Italiæ Nov-antiquæ' by Matthäus Merian the Elder and printed in 1640....

Antique world map titled 'Mappe-Monde dressee sur les Observations de Mrs. de l'Academie Royale des Sciences (..)'. Beautiful original antique world map...

Antique map titled 'Nubie et Abissinie'. Original antique map of Nubia, a region along the Nile river, and Abyssinia or the Ethiopian Empire. This map o...

Original antique map titled "Graecia Sophiani." This is a very detailed and decorative engraved map, with two decorative cartouches and a hand-colored initial on the verso, from Abra...

Antique map titled 'Venezuela cum parte Australi Novae Andalusiae'. The map extends from Coquibocoa to the Orinoque River, centered on Bariquicemento and Cape de Curiacao. Large cart...

Description: Antique map titled 'Sumatra ein grosse Insel / so von den alten Geographen Taprobana genennt worden'. Beautiful map of Sumatra and the southern part of Malaysia, with Si...

Title: 1742 Covens & Mortier Map of the Persian Empire by Guillaume De L'Isle This remarkable 1742 map, "Carte de Perse," was originally designed by Guillaume De L'Isle, a preemin...

This is a historical sea chart titled "Carte Generale des Costes d'Irlande, et des Costes Occidentales d'Angleterre avec une Partie de celles d'Ecosse," which translates to "General Map of the Coasts of Ireland and the Western Coasts of England with a Part of Scotland." The map was first published in 1693 in the atlas "La Neptune Francois," created by Jaillot and published by Pieter Mortier in Amsterdam. This initiative was started by the French minister Colbert to improve maritime navigation. Details of the Map: 1. **Geographical Coverage:** - The map primarily focuses on the Irish coast. - It also includes the west coast of England and Wales. - Parts of the west coast of Scotland are also depicted. 2. **Inset Map:** - There is a detailed inset map showing the area around Chester and the course of the River Dee. 3. **Features:** - **Depth Soundings:** The Irish Sea is detailed with depth soundings to assist in navigation. - **Coastal Towns and Islands:** Numerous coastal towns, islands, and geographical features are indicated. - **Rhumb Lines:** The map includes extensive rhumb lines, which are lines used by navigators to plot a straight-line course. - **Key:** There is a key describing the quality of the terrain along the coast, important for navigators to understand the nature of the coastal landscape. 4. **Labels and Annotations:** - **Coastal Settlements:** Ports, forts, and villages along the coast are labeled. - **Geographical Features:** Islands and other significant features are marked. 5. **Artistic and Practical Elements:** - The map is printed on thick paper and is hand-colored, reflecting contemporary coloring techniques. - Detailed lines and soundings are included to help ships navigate around the numerous small islands and narrow inlets safely. 6. **Historical Context:** - The map was part of a significant French maritime project aimed at improving navigation and charting European waters more accurately. - It reflects the high level of cartographic skill and knowledge of the late 17th century. This map would have been a valuable tool for mariners of the time, providing them with crucial information about the coastal features, depth soundings, and safe passage routes around the complex coastlines of Ireland, England, and Scotland. About the Makers and the Atlas **1. Alexis-Hubert Jaillot (1632-1712):** - **Background:** Jaillot was a prominent French cartographer and publisher in the 17th century. He was known for his detailed and accurate maps and atlases. - **Work:** He collaborated with other notable cartographers of his time and played a key role in improving and publishing detailed maps. Jaillot's work was characterized by its precision and artistic quality. - **Contribution:** He was instrumental in the creation of "La Neptune Francois," a maritime atlas aimed at improving French naval navigation. **2. Pieter Mortier (1661-1711):** - **Background:** Mortier was a Dutch engraver, publisher, and mapmaker based in Amsterdam. He was well-known for his high-quality prints and maps. - **Work:** Mortier published several important atlases and maps, often collaborating with other cartographers and engravers. His work was recognized for its detailed craftsmanship and accuracy. - **Contribution:** Mortier published "La Neptune Francois" in Amsterdam, making significant contributions to maritime navigation by providing highly detailed sea charts. About the Atlas "La Neptune Francois": **1. Purpose:** - The atlas was created as part of an initiative led by Jean-Baptiste Colbert, the French minister of finance under King Louis XIV. The goal was to enhance the accuracy and availability of maritime charts for French naval and commercial vessels. - "La Neptune Francois" was designed to be a comprehensive and detailed reference for navigators, covering various European waters with a focus on the French coast and adjacent regions. **2. Content:** - The atlas includes a series of sea charts, each providing detailed information on coastal regions, depth soundings, rhumb lines, and other navigational aids. - The maps were printed on high-quality paper and hand-colored, reflecting the artistic standards of the time. **3. Historical Significance:** - "La Neptune Francois" was a landmark in the history of cartography, representing a significant advancement in the accuracy and detail of maritime maps...

This engraving, titled *Vue de Dunkerque du coté de la Mer*, is a spectacular bird's-eye view of Dunkirk from the sea, published by Basset around 1770. It provides a detailed panor...

Title: 18th-Century Map of the Eastern Roman Empire by Henri Chatelain, c. 1719 Description: This intricately detailed map, titled *Nouvelle Carte pour Servir à l'Histoire de l'Empi...

This map is titled "St. Domingue (Partie Française)" and is part of the France Militaire series. It focuses on the French portion of Saint-Domingue, which corresponds to modern-day H...

Antique map Holy Land titled 'Het beloofde landt Canaan doorwandelt van onsen Saligmaker Jesu Christo neffens zyne Apostelen'. Antique map of Israel ...

Antique map titled 'Kaart van Oost Indie'. Old map of the East Indies. It shows the routes of Captain William Dampier's voyage throughout the regio...

This map, titled 'Royaume des Amazones', was created by Alain Manesson Mallet and published in 1684 in a German edition of *Beschreibung des Gantzen Welt-Kreisses*, a renowned work d...

Antique print titled 'Views of the Coast of Kamtschatka (..)'. Print with coastal views of Kamchatka including volcanoes. Originates from an edition of Cook's Voyages. Artists and ...

Antique map titled 'La Hongrie suivant les Nouvelles Observations (..)'. Antique map of Hungary with decorative title cartouche. Artists and Engravers: ...

This map titled *Pascaret van Schager-Rack de Bælt en de Sondt* was created by the prominent Dutch cartographer Johannes van Keulen and published in Amsterd...

Title: 17th-Century Antique Map of Nanjing Province, China – "Nanking sive Kiangnan" by Blaeu, with Decorative Details Description: This captivating 17th-century map of Nanjing Pr...

The image is an engraving titled “VEROVERINGE VAN RIO GRANDE IN BRASIL ANNO 1633.” This historical print depicts the Dutch conquest of Rio Grande in Brazil, known today as Natal, dur...

Antique map titled 'Persia sive Sophorum Regnum'. Original old map of Persia. The map extends from the Eastern Mediteranian to Tacalistan and the Indus River and the Dalanguer Mounta...

La Terre Sainte, The Holy Land, Tiree Des Memoires De M.De.La Rue. Par N. de Fer. Geographe de Sa Majeste Catoliq et de Monseigneur le Dauphin. Avec Privil du Roi 1703 Detailed map of the Holy Land from Nicholas de Fer's L'Atlas Curieux ou le Monde. East is oriented at the top. MAKER Nicolas de Fer 1646-1720 The French cartographer and engraver, Nicolas de Fer, was a master at creating maps that were works of art. The maps that he published were printed during the Baroque period when the decorative arts were characterized by ornate detail. De Fer’s detailed maps and atlases were valued more for their decorative content than their geographical accuracy. Nicolas de Fer was born in 1646. His father, Antoine de Fer, owned a mapmaking firm. At the age of twelve, Nicolas was apprenticed to a Parisian engraver named Louis Spirinx. The family business was starting to decline when his father died in 1673. Nicolas de Fer’s mother, Genevieve, took over the business after the death of her husband. In 1687 the business was passed on to Nicolas and the profits increased after he took over the firm. Nicolas de Fer was a prolific cartographer who produced atlases and hundreds of single maps. He eventually became the official geographer to King Louis XIV of France and King Philip V...

Antique map titled 'Hellas seu Graecia Universa' Detailed map of Greece, with Crete, the Aegean Islands, and part of Turkey. With two cartouches, compass rose and scale. Carolus Alla...

Antique map titled 'Judia, De Hoofd-Stad van Siam'. Antique plan of Ayutthaya, the capital of Siam (Thailand). This print originates from 'Oud en Nieuw Oost-...

1640 Antique Map of North Africa 'Nova Barbariae Descriptio' by Johannes Janssonius This antique map titled Nova Barbariae Descriptio*, published by Johannes Janssonius around 1640,...

This is a woodcut city view of Worms, published in Sebastian Münster's *Cosmographia* around 1578. The image depicts a bird's-eye view of the city of Worms, located in Rheinland-Pfal...

Title: Bird's-Eye View of Blâmont in Lorraine by Braun and Hogenberg, 1597 This copperplate engraving, published in 1597 by Braun and Hogenberg, depicts a bird's-eye view of the t...

Bird’s-Eye View of Sloten in Friesland by Nicolaes van Geelkercken, ca. 1616 This captivating hand-colored engraving presents an early 17th-century bird’s-eye view of the fortified ...

Workum in Friesland by Nicolaes van Geelkercken, hand-colored map ca. 1616 This beautifully hand-colored engraving titled 'Worcum' presents an early 17th-century bird’s-eye view of ...

Antique map titled 'Barbariae et Biledulgerid nova descriptio'. Old map of coastal North Africa and the Mediterranean. The map extends from Morocco and the Sahara to Libya and sh...

1777 A. Krevelt Map of Baja California and Northwestern Mexico - Jesuit Observations and Native Tribes A. Krevelt - Carte de la Californie d'Après les observations les plus exactes ...

Antique map Europe titled 'Europam sive Celticam Veterem'. Rare map of Celtic Europe. Made after A. Ortelius, originates from 'Introductionis in uni...

Antique print titled 'Ruin de Kew vuë par le Nord'. Copper engraving of a ruin of the Kew gardens. This print originates from 'Jardins Anglo-Chinois à la Mode' by Georg Louis le Rouge. Artists and Engravers: The work of Le Rouge is considered the most important engraved work concerning the history of European gardens during the 18th century. Kew Gardens is a botanic garden in southwest London that houses the "largest and most diverse botanical and mycological collections in the world". Founded in 1840, from the exotic garden at Kew Park, its living collections includes some of the 27,000 taxa curated by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, while the herbarium, one of the largest in the world, has over 8.5 million preserved plant...

Map of the Persian Empire by Nicolas Sanson, hand-colored, circa 1683 This finely detailed and delicately hand-colored map titled *L'Empire du Sophy des Perses* presents a late 17th...