17th Century Maps

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....

Globe gore by Vincenzo Maria Coronelli shows the North Pole with the coasts of Canada, Greenland, Scandinavia and Siberia, and is decorated with pictorial scenes of bear, seal and wh...

This antique map, titled 'Les Etats de la Couronne de Castille', represents the southern regions of the Crown of Castile, specifically the territories of Andalusia, Granada, and Murc...

Antique map titled 'Le Duche de Pomeranie divise en ses Principales Parties (..)'. Large map of Pomerania. Pomerania is a historical region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in...

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

The map of Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) from 1681, attributed to Frederick de Wit holds significant historical importance for several reasons: Historical Context 1. Colonial Era: This map dates back to the Dutch colonial era when Batavia served as the administrative and commercial hub of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). The VOC was a powerful trading entity that played a crucial role in the global spice trade and colonization in Southeast Asia. 2. Strategic Importance: Batavia was strategically located on the northwestern coast of Java, providing the Dutch with a critical base for their maritime operations. The city became the center of Dutch political and military control in the region. Cartographic Significance 1. Detailed Urban Layout: The map meticulously details the layout of Batavia, including its fortifications, canals, streets, and significant buildings. This level of detail provides insights into the urban planning and architectural styles of the period. 2. Military Engineering: The fortifications shown on the map illustrate the advanced military engineering techniques used by the Dutch to protect their valuable colony. The walls, bastions, and moats indicate the strategic considerations taken to defend against potential invasions. 3. Maritime Activity: The depiction of ships in the harbor highlights Batavia's role as a major maritime center. The VOC's fleets were essential for trade routes connecting Europe, Africa, and Asia, making Batavia a crucial node in global commerce. Artistic and Cultural Value 1. Artistic Elements: The decorative elements, such as the lion holding a shield and the intricate cartouches, reflect the artistic trends of Dutch Golden Age cartography. These embellishments were not only informative but also served to display the cartographer's skill and the map's prestige. 2. Cultural Exchange: Maps like this one provide evidence of cultural exchange between the Dutch and the indigenous populations of Java. The blending of Dutch and local influences can be seen in various aspects of the map and the architecture of the city. Rarity and Preservation 1. Rarity: Maps from the 17th century, especially those in good condition, are relatively rare and highly valued by collectors and historians. Each map provides a unique snapshot of historical geography and urban development. 2. Preservation of History: This map serves as a historical document, preserving knowledge about Batavia's cityscape, infrastructure, and colonial governance. It helps historians and scholars understand the socio-economic and political dynamics of the period. Conclusion The map of Batavia from 1681 is special due to its detailed depiction of one of the most important colonial cities in Southeast Asia during the Dutch Golden Age. It reflects the strategic, economic, and cultural significance of Batavia, serving as a valuable resource for understanding the history of Dutch colonialism and its global impact. The map's artistry and precision make it an important artifact in the history of cartography. --------------- The map is an original and historical map of Batavia (present-day Jakarta) on the island of Java, dated 1681. There are several details to consider when evaluating its origins and possible authorship: 1. **Style and Detail**: The intricate details and style are reminiscent of maps created by Frederick de Wit, a prominent Dutch cartographer and engraver of the 17th century. He was known for his detailed city maps and sea charts. 2. **Lack of Signature**: The absence of "F. de Wit, Excudit" could indicate either an omission or a different engraver. However, it is essential to note that some maps from that period were reproduced or copied by other engravers and cartographers. This was not uncommon, as map-making was a collaborative effort, and copies of popular maps were frequently made. 3. **Map Characteristics**: - The depiction of ships and the detailed fortifications are typical of Dutch cartography in the late 17th century. - The decorative elements, such as the lion holding a shield, are also characteristic of Dutch map engravers. 4. **Other Possible Engravers**: While Frederick de Wit is a strong candidate, other notable Dutch engravers from that period include Joan Blaeu and Willem Janszoon Blaeu. They also produced highly detailed maps and could potentially be the creators or inspirers of this map. To determine the precise authorship, you might consider: - **Comparing** this map with other confirmed works of Frederick de Wit and his contemporaries to identify stylistic similarities and differences. - **Historical Records**: Consulting historical records or publications related to Dutch cartography in the 17th century might provide more context or even direct references to this particular map. If you have access to additional details or higher-resolution images of specific sections, it might help further pinpoint the map's origin and authorship. ------------- Frederick de Wit (1629–1706) was a prominent Dutch cartographer, engraver, and publisher known for his detailed and decorative maps, atlases, and globes. He played a significant role in the Dutch Golden Age of cartography, contributing to the wealth of geographic knowledge and artistic achievement during this period. Here are key aspects of his life and work: ### Biography - **Early Life**: Frederick de Wit was born in Gouda, Netherlands, in 1629. Little is known about his early years, but he moved to Amsterdam, the epicenter of Dutch cartography, in the mid-17th century. - **Career Beginnings**: De Wit began his career as an engraver and publisher, initially producing maps that were reissues of earlier works by other cartographers, such as Joan Blaeu and Willem Janszoon Blaeu. ### Contributions to Cartography - **Mapmaking**: De Wit was known for his meticulous attention to detail and artistic flair. He produced a wide range of maps, including world maps, regional maps, city plans, and maritime charts...

Antique print titled 'Lubecca, Lübeck'. A bird's eye view of Lubeck, the northern German city in Schleswig-Holstein. This print originates from 'Topographia Saxoniae Inferioris'. Ar...

The text on the map "La principaute de Dombes; J. van den Eynde sculpit.; La Principavte de Dombes" indicates that it is a map of the principality of Dombes, engraved by J. van den E...

This is an antique lithography map of Oxfordshire. An English, framed atlas engraving of cartographic interest by Robert Morden, dating to the late 17th century and later. Superb l...

Antique map titled 'The Counti of Warwick the Shire Towne and Citie of Coventre described'. Map of Warwickshire, England. Includes inset town plans of Warwic...

Antique print titled 'Nicaea Civitas'. Original antique print with a view of the city of Nice, France. Rare in this edition. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engraver...

This original antique map titled "Le Gouvernement de l'Isle de France" represents the Île-de-France region, which historically was one of the provinces of France and contained the ci...

This map, "Westmoria Comitatus; Anglice Westmorland", was created by the esteemed Dutch cartographer Willem Blaeu and was published around 1645 in 'Le Theatre du Monde ou Nouvel Atlas'. It provides a detailed look at Westmorland, a historic county in northern England, based on John Speed’s earlier map. The map features numerous place names, parks, and estates, including Brigster Park, Colnhead Park, Crosbye, and Midleton, along with a detailed depiction of Windermere (spelled Wynandermere) and the surrounding regions. Additional Features: - Hand-colored map, with vibrant and detailed colors that bring out the topographical and decorative features. - Includes intricate cartouches, such as the royal coat of arms, a decorative title cartouche topped with putti (cherubic figures), and six coats of arms (two left blank). - Depicts the region’s rich landscape, including the rolling hills and mountainous terrain of northern England. - French text on the verso, indicative of the publication period from 1645-1648, part of Blaeu’s highly sought-after atlases. - Map shows precise details of small towns, estates, and parks, such as Brigster Park, Colnhead Park, Crosbye, and Wynandermere (now Windermere Lake). This map would be of particular interest to collectors of English county maps, antique maps of northern England, 17th-century cartography, and the decorative works of Willem Blaeu. Blaeu's maps are renowned for their accuracy, artistic beauty, and historical significance. Keywords: Willem Blaeu, Westmorland map, northern England, 17th-century map, antique map, English county map, John Speed, Windermere, decorative cartography, hand-colored map, rare map, antique cartography...

Antique map titled 'Comitatus Marchia et Ravensberg'. This map depicts two historical counties of the Holy Roman Empire: Marks and Ravensberg. Major cities, towns, mountains, and riv...

Antique map titled 'The Countie of Nottingham (..)'. Map of Nottinghamshire, England. Includes an inset town plan of Nottingham. This map originates from 'Theatre of Great Britaine' ...

Exquisite 1600 Ortelius Map of Artois, France: A Collector’s Piece with Rich Historical Detail Description of the Map: This map, titled "Atrebatum Regionis Vera Descriptio," create...

Antique map titled 'Accurata Scaniae, Blekingae et Hallandiae Descriptio per F. de Wit Amstelodami'. This map shows South Sweden with an inset of Halmstad and vicinity. Contemporary ...

This is an original antique map titled 'Valentiae Regni olim Contestanorum Si Ptolemaeo, Edentanorum Si Plinio Credimus Typus'. This is a historical map of the Kingdom of Valencia in...

This map, titled "Novam Hanc Territorii Francofurtensis Tabulam," is an exquisite hand-colored engraved map from around 1663, created by the renowned cartographers J. and C. Blaeu of...

Antique map titled 'Nova Totius Germaniae Descriptio'. Uncommon map of the German Empire including the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Bohemia,...

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...

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 'Bingen'. Bird's eye-view of Büdingen, Germany. The view shows a city surrounded by vineyards and well fortified with walls and moats. On the right is the castle w...

Antique map titled 'Sara.' Map of Psara ( Psyra or Ipsera) Island (North East Aegean Islands), Greece. This map originates from 'Nauwkeurige Beschrijving der eilanden in de Archipel ...

Antique map titled 'Dania Regnum'. Large, attractive map of Denmark, Sleschwig-Holstein and southern Sweden. Good detail throughout. Embellished with a title cartouche with the Danis...

Antique Map of the Frankfurt Region by Johannes Janssonius circa 1650 Hand-Colored This rare and beautifully detailed antique map titled Territorium Francofurtense depicts the reg...

Antique print titled 'Lewarden.' A bird's eye view of Leeuwarden (Friesland, the Netherlands). Views of Jollain are scarse and sought after by collectors. Artists and Engravers: Mad...

Plate 'Covorden.' (Plan of the fortified city of Coevorden, The Netherlands.) This attractive original old antique print / plate originates from: 'Ausführliche und grundrichtige Besc...

Antique map titled 'Les Iles du Iapon (..)'. Original antique map, with beautiful (later) hand coloring, of Japan and the Island of Corey (Korea). Uncommon edition, with '234' at top...

Antique portrait titled 'Lodovicus D.G. (..)'. Portrait of Louis II, King of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia. This print originates from 'Tooneel der keysere...

Antique print titled 'Calechut'. Wonderful, miniature copper engraving depicting Arion riding on a very cheerful looking sea monster in the important tradi...

Antique print China titled 'Kuching'. Old print depicting a view on the Chinese city of Kuching or Kuchin (Gui Jiang, Kuei Chiang), near the river Gui (Guei). This area is close ...

Antique map titled 'Mansfeldiae Comitatus Descriptio'. Original antique map of the region of Mansfeld, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Shows the area between Halle a. d. Saale, Aschersleben,...

Untitled antique print with a view of the city of Cairo in Egypt and Joseph's Well in Cairo. This print originates from 'Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn, door de vermaardste deelen van ...

Description: Antique map titled 'Delineato Regionis Bassora cum Angis uminibus et Isulis.' Map of the Bassora (Basra) region, Iraq. Artists and Engravers: Made by 'Olfert Dapper' ...

Framed colored example of this decorative and important minature map. Newly framed in brown wood frame with gold trim. Mercator Hondius “Atlas Minor” pu...

Untitled antique print with two views of Cairo, Egypt. 78: Palace of Sultan Gori. 79. Tower and aqueduct. This print originates from 'Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn, door de vermaardst...

Title: "Livonia: Antique Map of the Northern Baltic Region" Description: This antique map, titled "Livonia," is a detailed representation of the northern Baltic region. Centered on ...

Original antique map titled 'Regna Congo et Angola'. Decorative 17th Century English map of a portion of West Africa, focused on the Congo and Angola. The map is centered on the Zair...

Antique map titled 'Hondius his Map of Paradise'. Beautiful map of the region bounded by the Holy Land. Syria, Mesopotamia, Chaldea and part of Arabia. W...

Antique map Holy Land titled 'Perigrinatie ofte Veertich-Iarige Reyse, der kinderen Israels uyt Egipten, door de Roode-Zee; mitsgaders de Woestyne tot int Beloofde Landt Canaan, : met groote vlyt uyt verscheryden auctoren by een gestelt, uyt de H. Schrift gecorigeert, ende int licht gegeven'. Beautiful and rare antique map of the Holy Land...

Plate 'Harlingen.' (Plan of the city of Harlingen, The Netherlands.) This attractive original old antique print / plate originates from: 'Ausführliche und grundrichtige Beschreibung ...

The ancient city of Saint Malo in North Western France has long been associated with adventure on the high seas, piracy and exploration. It was the birthplace of several important in...

Antique print, titled: 'Hasselt.' Bird's-eye view plan of Hasselt in The Netherlands. With key to locations and coats of arms. Text in Dutch on verso. This plan originates from the famous city Atlas: 'Toneel der Steeden' published by Joan Blaeu...

The antique map, titled 'Scotiae pars septentrionalis,' depicts the northern part of Scotland. Crafted by Hondius around 1640, this map is a historical treasure showcasing the geogra...

Plate 'Devendr.' (Plan of the fortified city of Deventer, The Netherlands.) This attractive original old antique print / plate originates from: 'Aus...

Antique map titled 'Carte Generale des Dixsept Provinces des Pais Bas'. Rare and Early map of the Seventeen Provinces. The Seventeen Provinces were the Imperial states of the Habsbur...

Antique map titled 'Prussiae Nova Tabula'. Rare early edition of Blaeu's map of Prussia, embellished with a gorgeous large format cartouche, compass ros...

Antique map titled 'The Counti of Warwick (..)'. Map of Warwickshire, England. Includes inset town plans of Warwick and Coventry. This map originates from 'Theatre of Great Britaine'...

This small map was engraved by Petrus Kaerius and is based on Ortelius' map of the same title. It covers the ancient region of Thrace, present-day European Turkey and part of Greece....

Antique print with two views of Alexandria, Egypt. This print originates from 'Reizen van Cornelis de Bruyn, door de vermaardste deelen van Klein Asia, de eylanden Scio, Rhodus, Cypr...

Antique map titled 'India quae Orientalis dicitur, et Insulae adiacentes'. Old map of the East Indies and Southeast Asia showing the area between India in the West and parts of Japan...

Antique map titled 'Tabulae dominii Groeningae quae et complecititur maximam partem Dreniae Emendata a F. de Wit'. Original antique map of the province of Groningen, the Netherlands....

Antique print, titled: 'Topograhpiae Enchusae.' Bird's-eye view plan of Enkhuizen in The Netherlands, with key to locations and coats of arms. Text in Dutch on verso. This plan o...

Antique map titled 'India quae Orientalis dicitur et Insulae Adiacentes'. Beautiful map of Southeast Asia, extending from India to Tibet to Japan to New Guinea. It was the first po...

Antique map titled 'Artesia Comitatus Artois'. Map of Artois or Artesia, France. Artois is former province located in the northwestern part of France, boarding Belgium (Flanders) on ...

Antique map of France titled 'Borbonium Ducatus - Bourbonnois'. Decorative map of the Bourbon region. This map originates from 'Atlas Novus, Sive Theatrum Orbis Orbis Terrarum: In qu...