Rare Map of the Greater & Lesser Antilles by du Plessis, 1700: Cuba, Hispaniola, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Caribbean

Step into the golden age of exploration with “Les Antilles,” the masterful 1700 map by Martineau du Plessis. Bearing its original French title, this exquisite work offers a rare window into the Caribbean at the dawn of the 18th century—a time when European powers vied for influence and trade across these sun-drenched islands. Published in Amsterdam, the map’s artistry and precision are immediately evident, its cartouche adorned with intricate baroque flourishes that evoke the grandeur and ambition of the era.

Martineau du Plessis, the distinguished cartographer behind this piece, drew inspiration from the celebrated geographer Johannes De Laet, a director of the Dutch West India Company. De Laet’s meticulous approach to mapping the Americas set a new standard for accuracy, and Du Plessis’s map echoes this legacy with remarkable fidelity. The result is a cartographic achievement that not only delineates the contours of the Greater and Lesser Antilles but also reflects the strategic and economic imperatives that shaped European engagement in the Caribbean.

The map’s detailed geography is a testament to Du Plessis’s skill. From the sweeping expanse of Cuba and the mountainous backbone of Hispaniola to the intricate necklace of the Lesser Antilles, each island is rendered with careful attention to coastline, topography, and natural features. The “Mer des Antilles” (Caribbean Sea) is boldly labeled, anchoring the islands within the broader Atlantic world, while mountain ranges and rugged interiors hint at the formidable landscapes that awaited early explorers and settlers.

Cities and towns of enduring historical significance are elegantly marked, including Havana, Santo Domingo, San Juan, and Port Royal. These settlements—now vibrant modern capitals—were already bustling centers of commerce, culture, and colonial administration at the time. The map also highlights key ports and outposts such as Basse-Terre, Fort Royal, and Bridgetown, each playing a vital role in the region’s maritime networks and the transatlantic flows of goods, people, and ideas.

Beyond its geographic and political detail, “Les Antilles” stands as a cultural artifact of immense historical value. It captures the Caribbean at a pivotal moment, its islands caught between empires and on the cusp of transformation. The map’s design—both scientifically rigorous and visually captivating—invites the viewer to journey through time, tracing the routes of adventurers, merchants, and cartographers who shaped the destiny of the New World. For collectors and connoisseurs, this map is not merely a record of place, but a testament to the artistry and ambition of early modern cartography.

Cities and towns on this map

• Cuba
• Havana (La Havane)
• Santiago de Cuba (St. Iago)
• Dominican Republic
• Santo Domingo (St. Domingue)
• Haiti
• Cap-Haïtien (Cap François)
• Jamaica
• Kingston (Port Royal)
• Puerto Rico
• San Juan (Porto Rico)
• British Virgin Islands
• Lesser Antilles
• Basse-Terre (Guadeloupe)
• Fort-de-France (Martinique, labeled as Fort Royal)
• Bridgetown (Barbados, labeled as Barbade)
• Saint John's (Antigua, labeled as Antigoa)
• Roseau (Dominica, labeled as Dominique)
• Basseterre (St. Kitts, labeled as St. Christophe)

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Bodies of Water:
• Mer du Nord (North Sea, referring to the Atlantic Ocean)
• Mer des Antilles (Caribbean Sea)
• Islands clearly labeled:
• Cuba
• Hispaniola (modern-day Haiti and Dominican Republic)
• Jamaica
• Puerto Rico (Porto Rico)
• Lesser Antilles islands (clearly depicted and labeled individually)
• Illustrations:
• Decorative cartouche with elaborate artistic framing and title "Les Antilles"
• Borders:
• Clearly delineated coastlines and island boundaries
• Mountains:
• Depictions of mountainous terrain, particularly visible on larger islands such as Hispaniola and Cuba

Historical and design context

• Map Name: Les Antilles
• Mapmaker/Publisher: Martineau du Plessis, published in Amsterdam
• Date of Creation: 1700
• Cartographic Influence: Heavily influenced by Johannes De Laet, a prominent geographer and director of the Dutch West India Company known for accurate and comprehensive maps of the Americas
• Themes and Topics: Detailed political and physical geography of Caribbean islands, including coastlines, islands, and notable geographic features
• Design and Style: Visually compelling and detailed, reflecting early 18th-century cartographic aesthetics, with clear labeling and careful depiction of island shapes and coastlines
• Historical Significance: Provides insight into European cartographic knowledge of the Caribbean region at the turn of the 18th century, reflecting the strategic and economic importance of these islands during the era of colonial expansion and trade

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 every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) 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 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.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

For most orders, delivery time is about 3 working days. Personalised and customised products take longer, as I have to do the personalisation and send it to you for approval, which usually takes 1 or 2 days.

Please note that very large framed orders usually take longer to make and deliver. 

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 and artwork in 23 countries around the world. This means your order will be made locally, which cuts down on delivery time and ensures that it won't be damaged during delivery. You'll never pay customs or import duty, and we'll put less CO2 into the air.

All of my maps and art prints are well packaged and sent in a rugged tube if unframed, or surrounded by foam if framed.

I try to send out all orders within 1 or 2 days of receiving your order, though some products (like face masks, mugs and tote bags) 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).

Next Day delivery is also available in some countries (US, UK, Singapore, UAE) but please try to order early in the day so that we can get it sent out on time.

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, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

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 and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

Alcune delle mie vecchie mappe sono ora disponibili come tele incorniciate. Per favore contattami se desideri ordinare una dimensione che non è disponibile nel mio negozio.

Le vecchie mappe su tela sono un'alternativa interessante alle mappe incorniciate in modo convenzionale. A seconda del tuo gusto personale e dell'arredamento della stanza, le mappe su tela possono "risaltare" un po' di più rispetto a una mappa incorniciata.

Scopri di più sulle mie mappe su tela incorniciate.

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.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.