Rare Old Map of the Baltic by Blaeu, 1644: Stockholm, Helsinki, Riga, Tallinn, Vilnius

Immerse yourself in the rich historical tapestry of the Baltic region with the "Livonia vulgo Lyefland," a stunning map created by the renowned Dutch cartographer Willem Janszoon Blaeu in 1644. This exquisite piece of cartographic art captures the intricate political and physical geography of the Baltic, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Gottalandia, and parts of Sweden and Finland. Blaeu, a master of his craft during the Dutch Golden Age, has meticulously detailed the coastlines, rivers, and islands, providing a vivid snapshot of the region's landscape in the mid-17th century.

The map's design is a testament to Blaeu's artistry and attention to detail. The decorative cartouche in the bottom left corner is a visual delight, adorned with ornate flourishes that draw the eye and lend an air of grandeur to the piece. Heraldic symbols representing Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Curland, Lithuania, Moscovia, and Ingriae add a layer of historical context, reflecting the political affiliations and noble lineages of the time. The inclusion of ships and sea monsters in the Baltic Sea and Sinus Finnicus not only enhances the map's aesthetic appeal but also underscores the importance of maritime trade and navigation in the region.

Blaeu's map is more than just a geographical representation; it is a window into the past, offering insights into the historical significance of the regions depicted. The map showcases key cities and towns such as Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn, Riga, and Vilnius, each marked with precision and care. Major rivers like the Daugava and notable bodies of water such as the Sinus Livonicus (Gulf of Riga) and Sinus Finnicus (Gulf of Finland) are prominently featured, highlighting the natural features that have shaped the region's history and development.

The physical geography of the Baltic region is brought to life through Blaeu's expert cartography. Forested areas are depicted with delicate tree symbols, while mountain ranges and hilly terrains are illustrated with subtle shading and contour lines. Coastal islands and archipelagos, including the Åland Islands and Gotland, are meticulously detailed, emphasizing their strategic importance and natural beauty. This map not only serves as a navigational tool but also as a celebration of the region's diverse and picturesque landscapes.

Historically, the "Livonia vulgo Lyefland" map is a valuable artifact that captures the geopolitical dynamics of the 17th century. It reflects the intricate borders and political boundaries of the time, marked with colored lines that delineate the territories of various states and regions. The coats of arms and heraldic symbols provide a glimpse into the noble families and political entities that wielded power in the Baltic region. This map is not just a piece of art; it is a historical document that offers a profound understanding of the past, making it a prized addition to any collection of antique maps.

Cities and towns on this map

• Sweden:
• Stockholm
• Finland:
• Helsinki
• Estonia:
• Tallinn
• Narva
• Tartu
• Latvia:
• Riga
• Daugavpils
• Lithuania:
• Vilnius
• Kaunas
• Russia:
• Pskov
• Novgorod

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Decorative cartouche in the bottom left corner
• Coats of arms for Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Curland, Lithuania, Moscovia, and Ingriae
• Ships depicted in the Baltic Sea and Sinus Finnicus
• Sinus Livonicus (Gulf of Riga)
• Sinus Finnicus (Gulf of Finland)
• Alandia (Åland Islands)
• Gottlandia (Gotland)
• Peipus Lacus (Lake Peipus)
• Decorative compass rose
• Major rivers and waterways, such as the Daugava River
• Forested areas depicted with tree symbols
• Distinctive mountain ranges and hilly areas
• Coastal islands and archipelagos
• Borders and political boundaries marked with colored lines
• Artistic flourishes and calligraphy for place names
• Historic trade routes and maritime paths
• Ingriae Pars (part of Ingria)
• Moscoviae Pars (part of Muscovy)
• Baltic Sea (Mare Balticum)

Historical and design context

• Name of the map: Livonia vulgo Lyefland
• When the map was made: 1644
• Mapmaker or publisher: Willem Janszoon Blaeu
• Context about the mapmaker: Willem Janszoon Blaeu was a notable Dutch cartographer, atlas maker, and publisher known for his detailed and decorative maps. He was one of the most prominent mapmakers of the Dutch Golden Age.
• Topics and themes shown on the map:
• Political boundaries: The map shows the political boundaries of various regions and countries in the Baltic area during the mid-17th century.
• Physical geography: Depicts the physical geography of the Baltic region, including coastlines, rivers, and islands.
• Heraldry: Features coats of arms for various regions, indicating the political affiliations and heraldic symbols of the time.
• Maritime activity: Illustrates ships in the Baltic Sea, indicating the importance of maritime trade and navigation.
• Design or style of the map:
• Decorative cartouche: The map includes an ornate cartouche, a common feature in maps of this period, often used to display the title and other information.
• Heraldic symbols: The use of coats of arms adds a decorative and informative element, reflecting the political landscape of the time.
• Ships and sea monsters: The inclusion of ships and sea monsters in the sea areas adds a whimsical and artistic touch, common in maps from this era.
• Historical significance or context:
• The map provides valuable insights into the geographical and political landscape of the Baltic region in the mid-17th century.
• Reflects the cartographic knowledge and artistic style of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great advancement in mapmaking and exploration.

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 90in (230cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) 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.

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.