Rare Old Map of Federated Belgium by Visscher, 1690: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Düsseldorf, Ghent

Introducing the meticulously crafted 'Belgium Foederatum emendate auctum et novissime editum' by Nicolaes Visscher II, a master cartographer of the Dutch Golden Age. This historical piece, dating back to 1690, offers a fascinating glimpse into the geographical and political landscape of Federated Belgium during a pivotal era.

The map prominently features five significant cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Düsseldorf, and Ghent. Each city, a vibrant hub of commerce and culture in its own right, is intricately depicted with the precision and attention to detail that Visscher is renowned for.

The title of the map, when translated into English, reads 'Federated Belgium, accurately enlarged and most recently edited'. This alludes to the regions and political divisions that the map covers, which extends beyond the borders of modern-day Belgium. It provides an insight into the historical divisions and alliances of the time, making it a captivating piece for both history enthusiasts and lovers of vintage cartography.

In addition to the cities, the map also displays various landmarks and geographical features of the time. The intricate detailing and accuracy of these depictions are a testament to Visscher's craftsmanship and dedication to his art. This map is not just a geographical tool, but a work of art that tells a story of a time and place long past.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Belgium

• Brussels: Known as Bruxelles in French and Brussel in Dutch, it's the capital city of Belgium. Notable for its rich history and architectural landmarks.
• Antwerp: Known as Antwerpen in Dutch, it was one of the most important cities in Europe during the 16th century.
• Ghent: Known as Gent in Dutch, it's one of the oldest cities in Belgium, known for its medieval architecture.
• Bruges: Known as Brugge in Dutch, it's often referred to as "The Venice of the North" due to its canals.
• Liège: Known as Luik in Dutch, it was a major center for the coal and steel industry in the 19th century.
• Namur: Known as Namen in Dutch, it's the capital of Wallonia, the French-speaking region of Belgium.
• Mons: Known as Bergen in Dutch, it's known for its rich history and culture.
• Leuven: Known for being the oldest Catholic university in the world.
• Tournai: Known as Doornik in Dutch, it's one of the oldest cities in Belgium.
• Mechelen: Known for its historical buildings and belfry.

Netherlands

• Amsterdam: The capital city of the Netherlands, known for its artistic heritage and elaborate canal system.
• Rotterdam: Known for being a major logistic and economic centre, it's home to Europe's largest port.
• The Hague: Known as Den Haag in Dutch, it's the seat of the Dutch government and the International Court of Justice.
• Utrecht: Known for its medieval old town, canals, Christian monuments, and a venerable university.
• Eindhoven: Known for its modern architecture and design, and as the birthplace of electronics giant Philips.
• Groningen: Known for the University of Groningen and a lively cultural scene.
• Maastricht: Known for its medieval-era architecture and vibrant cultural scene.
• Leiden: Known for its centuries-old architecture and the oldest university in the Netherlands.
• Delft: Known for its historic town center with canals and the Delft University of Technology.
• Haarlem: Known for its historical buildings and for being the center of the Dutch flower-growing district.

Germany

• Düsseldorf: Known for its pioneering influence on electronic/experimental music and its Japanese community.
• Cologne: Known as Köln in German, it's the largest city of Germany's most populous federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
• Bonn: Known for being the provisional capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990.
• Dortmund: Known for its strong emphasis on technological development, particularly in robotics, biomedical technology, micro systems technology, and services.
• Essen: Known for its impact on the arts through the respected Folkwang University of the Arts, its Zollverein School of Management and Design, and the Red Dot industrial product design award.
• Duisburg: Known for its large harbour, the largest inland port in the world.

Notable natural phenomena and boundaries:

• The Rhine River: One of the major European rivers, which has its sources in Switzerland and flows in a mostly northerly direction through Germany and the Netherlands, emptying into the North Sea.
• The Meuse River: A major European river, rising in France and flowing through Belgium and the Netherlands before draining into the North Sea.
• The Ardennes: A region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges.
• The Eifel National Park: A beautiful and diverse landscape of hills and forests.
• The North Sea coastline: Known for its sandy beaches and dunes.

Notable historical events:

• The Eighty Years' War (1568–1648): A revolt of the Seventeen Provinces against the political and religious hegemony of Philip II of Spain.
• The Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678): Louis XIV of France's attempt to curb the power of the Dutch Republic.
• The Glorious Revolution (1688): The deposition of James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III.

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.