Immerse yourself in the grandeur of the past with the 'Atlas minor sive totius orbis terrarum contracta delinea ex conatibus Nico', or in English, 'Minor Atlas or a contracted delineation of the whole world undertaken by Nico'. This is a map that presents a snapshot of the world as it was understood in 1690, meticulously crafted by the esteemed cartographer Nicolaes Visscher II. It is a testament to the Dutch Golden Age, a period renowned for its significant contributions to cartography, when Visscher's grandfather, Claes Janszoon Visscher, laid the foundation for the family's legacy in the field.
This map, with its focus on "New Netherland and New England and part of Virginia", offers a fascinating look at the early stages of the United States' development. The regions highlighted on this map include present-day New York, New Jersey, Washington, and Massachusetts, offering a window into the past of these significant states. The White Mountain National Forest, a beloved natural landmark, is also captured in this historical representation, a testament to the enduring beauty of this landscape.
The map is adorned with intricate details that speak volumes about the era it represents. An inset view of New York City, then known as "New Amsterdam", is a highlight of this map. Manhattan, accurately depicted as an island, is marked with a settlement at its southern end. The map also features a variety of cities, towns, waterways, and canals, each rendered with the meticulous attention to detail that was characteristic of Visscher's work.
In addition to these geographical details, the map also features decorative cartouches, compass roses, and a vignette of American Indian settlements and wildlife, providing a glimpse into the rich cultural history of the region. The relief of the terrain is depicted pictorially, adding depth and dimension to this historical piece. The 'Atlas minor sive totius orbis terrarum contracta delinea ex conatibus Nico' is more than just a map; it is a journey through time, a piece of history that offers a unique perspective on the world as it was understood over three centuries ago.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
New Netherland
-
New Amsterdam (Modern-day New York City): The Dutch West India Company established this city in 1624. It was the main city of the New Netherland colony.
-
Beverwijck (Modern-day Albany): Founded in 1652, it was the second largest settlement in New Netherland.
-
Fort Orange (Modern-day Albany): Established in 1624, it was the first permanent Dutch settlement in New Netherland.
-
Breuckelen (Modern-day Brooklyn): Founded in 1646, it was the first municipality in what is now New York state.
-
Rensselaerswyck (Modern-day Rensselaer County): Established in 1630, it was a patroonship that became the most successful Dutch colony in New Netherland.
New England
-
Boston: Founded in 1630, it was one of the oldest cities in the United States and the largest city in New England.
-
Plymouth: Established in 1620 by the Pilgrims, it was the first successful English colony in New England.
-
Salem: Founded in 1626, it was notable for the Salem witch trials in 1692.
-
Providence: Established in 1636, it was one of the first cities in the country to industrialize.
-
Hartford: Founded in 1635, it is known as the "Insurance Capital of the World" due to the many insurance companies headquartered there.
Virginia
-
Jamestown: Established in 1607, it was the first permanent English settlement in the Americas.
-
Williamsburg: Founded in 1632, it was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1780.
-
Yorktown: Established in 1691, it was the site of the final battle of the American Revolutionary War.
-
Henricus: Founded in 1611, it was the second successful English settlement in the New World.
-
Kecoughtan (Modern-day Hampton): Established in 1610, it was one of the oldest English-speaking communities in the United States.
Notable natural phenomena and boundaries:
-
Hudson River: A 315-mile river that flows from north to south through eastern New York.
-
Delaware River: Named after Thomas West, 3rd Baron De La Warr, it is a major river on the Atlantic coast of the United States.
-
Appalachian Mountains: A mountain range in the eastern North America, extending from Canada to Alabama.
-
Chesapeake Bay: The largest estuary in the United States, known for its beauty and bounty of seafood.
-
Long Island Sound: A tidal estuary of the Atlantic Ocean, lying between the eastern shores of Bronx County, New York City, southern Westchester County, and Connecticut to the north, and the North Shore of Long Island, to the south.
Notable historical events:
-
Founding of Jamestown (1607): The first permanent English settlement in the Americas.
-
Pequot War (1636-1638): An armed conflict between the Pequot tribe and an alliance of the English colonists of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, and Saybrook colonies.
-
King Philip's War (1675-1678): An armed conflict between Native American inhabitants of present-day New England and English colonists and their Native American allies.
Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.
This map looks great at all sizes: 12x16in (30.5x41cm), 16x20in (40.5x51cm), 18x24in (45.5x61cm), 24x30in (61x76cm), 32x40in (81.5x102cm), 40x50in (102x127cm), 48x60in (122x153cm) and 56x70in (142x178cm), but
it looks even better when printed large.
I can create beautiful, large prints of this map up to 90in (229cm). Please get in touch if you're looking for
larger, customised or different framing options.
The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40.5x51cm) version of this map.
The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.
If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps of Europe and European cities to see if something else catches your eye.
Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.
This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.
This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.