Rare Old Map of New Netherland, New England and Part of Virginia by Visscher, 1690: New York, New Amsterdam, Indian Settlements

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.

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.

Read my full delivery and local production guide

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.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

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.