Rare Old Map of County of Artois by Visscher, 1690: Calais, Arras, Béthune, Douai, Caps et Marais d'Opale Park
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Free worldwide delivery
in 2 to 3 days
Delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1 to 2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
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Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend $80 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
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30 day money back guarantee
30 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell your personalised order.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
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Personalised customer care
Customer Care
At Unique Maps Co., we think that the best personalised maps begin with personalised customer care.
Our personalised support enhances your shopping experience, addresses any concerns, provides expert advice, and makes the process seamless and enjoyable.
If you have any questions at all, please just get in touch. We can support you on the phone, by email and WhatsApp. Usually we will respond within minutes, 24/7.
Try it out! Contact us now.
- 5 stars 'Excellent' rating on Trustpilot
- Best size: 16x20in (40.5x51cm) or larger
- The model holds the 16x20in (40x50cm) map
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
The 'Geographica Artesiae comitatus tabula', or in English, 'Geographical Map of the County of Artois', is a meticulously detailed piece of cartography from the late 17th century. Crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690, it provides an in-depth look at the County of Artois, a historical region of France. This map is an artifact of historical significance, offering a snapshot of the region's political divisions and geographical layout during the period.
The map features several key cities of the time, including Calais, Arras, Béthune, and Douai. Each city is depicted with a high level of detail, providing a glimpse into their importance and stature during the late 17th century. The city of Calais, for instance, was a critical port for trade and transportation, while Arras was known for its beautiful architecture and bustling markets.
In addition to the cities, the map also highlights the Caps et Marais d'Opale Regional Natural Park. This notable landmark, known for its unique biodiversity and stunning landscapes, is beautifully represented. The map's inclusion of such natural landmarks alongside political divisions and urban centers speaks to its comprehensive coverage of the region.
Lastly, the map's creator, Nicolaes Visscher II, was a renowned cartographer from the Dutch Golden Age. The grandson of Claes Janszoon Visscher, Nicolaes II carried on the family tradition of producing high-quality, detailed maps. His skill and craftsmanship are evident in this piece, making it not only a useful tool for understanding the County of Artois but also a testament to the artistry of map-making during this period.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
Cities and Towns:
In the County of Artois:
- Calais: Known as a critical port for trade and transportation.
- Arras: Famous for its beautiful architecture and bustling markets.
- Béthune: An important center of the coal mining industry.
- Douai: Home to one of the oldest universities in France, founded in 1562.
- Lens: Known for its rich coal reserves, which fueled industrial growth.
- Saint-Omer: Historically, a cultural and educational hub.
- Hesdin: Once a fortified city, it was rebuilt in a new location after being destroyed in a war.
- Aire-sur-la-Lys: A significant river port in the region.
- Hazebrouck: An important railway junction in the 17th century.
- Montreuil: Known for its ramparts and strategic location.
- Bapaume: A key location in the textile industry.
- Armentières: Known for its flourishing textile mills.
- Lillers: An important market town.
- Roubaix: A prominent textile industry center.
- Tourcoing: Known for its woolen and linen industries.
Notable Natural Phenomena:
- Caps et Marais d'Opale Regional Natural Park: Known for its unique biodiversity and stunning landscapes.
- River Lys: A significant river that flows through the region.
- River Aa: A small river that has played a significant role in the region's development.
- Artois Communal Cemetery: A historical cemetery located in the region.
- Artois Expo: A modern-day tourist attraction.
Historical Events (1600-1690):
- The Battle of Lens (1648): A decisive victory for France during the Thirty Years' War.
- The Peace of Westphalia (1648): A series of peace treaties that ended the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War.
- The Franco-Spanish War (1635-1659): A military conflict in which the County of Artois was a significant battleground.
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.
For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and custom made maps take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes a day or two.
Please note that for larger framed orders (over 40in/100cm), and some other framed sizes, the delivery time will be closer to 7-10 days.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, please contact me before you order so that we can find the best way of making sure you get your order in time.
I print and frame maps in 22 countries around the world. This means your map will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and reduces the chance of your map being damaged during delivery. There won't be any extra taxes or duties to pay, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.
All of my maps are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.
I try to send out all maps within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks or mugs) can take longer to make.
If you select Express Delivery at checkout your order we will prioritise your order and send it out by 1-day courier (Fedex, DHL, UPS, Parcelforce).
We can sometimes do next-day delivery if you order before 10am. But usually it's best to contact me first before you order.
My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.
I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.
Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.
Most maps are also available as a framed canvas. The map is printed on matte (not shiny) canvas, stretched over a box frame, and then 'floated' within a simple wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing in front of your map.
All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.
See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.
Alternatively, I can also supply old maps on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.
If you want to frame your map yourself, please read my map size guide first.
My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.
I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.
My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.
I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.
I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.
Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.
Map personalisation
If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.
The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.
To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.
Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.
Map ageing
I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.
Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.
All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.
If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!
If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.
If you are not happy with your unique map for any reason, contact me for a no-quibble refund.
I am very confident you will like your old map. I have been doing this since 1984. I'm a 5-star Etsy seller. I have sold tens of thousands of maps and have over 4,000 real 5-star reviews.
I use a unique process to restore my maps that is massively time consuming and labour intensive. Hunting down the original maps can take months. I use state of the art and eye-wateringly expensive technology to scan and restore the maps. As a result, I guarantee my maps are a cut above the rest - that's why I can offer a no-quibble refund.
Almost all of my maps look amazing at large sizes (200cm, 6.5ft+) and I can frame and deliver them to you as well, via special oversized courier. Contact me to discuss your specific needs.
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