Rare Old Map of Delfland and Schieland by Visscher, 1690: The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft, Hellevoetsluis, Ridderkerk

This remarkable piece of history is an old map of Delfland and Schieland, meticulously crafted by Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690. As part of the Dutch Golden Age, Visscher's maps were renowned for their precision and attention to detail, and this map is no exception. The full name of the map, 'Delflandia, Schielandia et circumjacentes insulae ut Voorna, Overflackae, Goerae, Yselmonda et aliae', translates to 'Delfland, Schieland and the surrounding islands such as Voorne, Overflakkee, Goeree, IJsselmonde and others'. This provides a clear indication of the regions and political divisions that the map covers, which is primarily the modern-day area of the Netherlands.

The map prominently features five notable locations: The Hague, Rotterdam, Delft, Hellevoetsluis, and Ridderkerk. Each of these cities holds a rich history and played significant roles in the development of the Netherlands. The Hague, for instance, is the seat of the Dutch government and the King, while Rotterdam, with its strategic location along the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, has been a major logistic and economic centre for centuries.

Delft, a city known for its historic town centre with canals, is also highlighted on this map. It is famous for its association with the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. Hellevoetsluis, a small city located on the Haringvliet, was a major base for the Dutch navy during the Dutch Golden Age. Lastly, Ridderkerk, a town located in the western Netherlands, in the province of South Holland, is also depicted on this map.

The Visscher family's legacy in map-making is evident in this work. The detail and precision with which they captured the topography and political boundaries of the time are a testament to their skill and the significant role they played in the cartography of the Dutch Golden Age. This map is not just a piece of art; it is a window into the past, providing insight into the geographical and political landscape of the Netherlands in the late 17th century.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Delfland

• The Hague (Den Haag): Known as 's-Gravenhage in Dutch, it is the seat of the Dutch government and the King. Founded in 1230.
• Delft: Famous for its historic town centre with canals and its association with the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. Founded in 1075.
• Vlaardingen: Known for its herring fishing industry in the Middle Ages. Founded in 700.
• Schiedam: Known for its historic windmills, some of the largest in the world. Founded in 1230.
• Maassluis: A significant seaport during the Dutch Golden Age. Founded in 1340.
• Naaldwijk: The administrative center of the Westland region. Founded in 1230.
• Monster: Known for its long sandy beach along the North Sea. Founded in 1204.
• De Lier: Known for its horticulture and flower industry. Founded in 1282.
• Wateringen: Known for its historic windmill, De Windlust. Founded in 1156.
• Poeldijk: Known for its historic Roman Catholic church, the Bartholomeuskerk. Founded in 1200.

Schieland

• Rotterdam: A major logistic and economic centre, known for its strategic location along the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta. Founded in 1270.
• Gouda: Known for its cheese, smoking pipes, and 15th-century city hall. Founded in 1139.
• Schoonhoven: Known as the Silver City due to its historic silver industry. Founded in 1220.
• Capelle aan den IJssel: Known for its historic windmill, De Windlust. Founded in 1271.
• Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel: Known for having the lowest point in the Netherlands. Founded in 1250.
• Krimpen aan den IJssel: Known for its historic storm surge barrier, the Hollandsche IJsselkering. Founded in 1274.
• Moordrecht: Known for its historic churches, such as the Hervormde kerk. Founded in 1260.
• Bergambacht: Known for its traditional cheese farm, the Boerderij de Jong. Founded in 1240.
• Lekkerkerk: Known for its location along the Lek River. Founded in 1282.
• Krimpen aan de Lek: Known for its historic shipyard, the Royal IHC. Founded in 1277.

Surrounding Islands

• Hellevoetsluis: A major base for the Dutch navy during the Dutch Golden Age. Founded in 1312.
• Ridderkerk: Known for its historic Reformed church. Founded in 1040.
• Brielle: Known for its well-preserved fortifications. Founded in 1306.
• Spijkenisse: Known for its modern architecture, such as the Boekenberg. Founded in 1231.
• Goedereede: Known for its historic lighthouse. Founded in 1312.
• Middelharnis: Known for its historic harbor. Founded in 1465.
• Dirksland: Known for its historic hospital, the Van Weel-Bethesda Hospital. Founded in 1412.
• Ouddorp: Known for its long sandy beach along the North Sea. Founded in 1305.
• Ooltgensplaat: Known for its historic fortress, Fort Prins Frederik. Founded in 1313.
• Nieuwe-Tonge: Known for its historic windmill, the Battenoord. Founded in 1482.

Notable Boundaries and Natural Phenomena

• Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta: A major river delta in the Netherlands formed by the confluence of the Rhine, Meuse, and Scheldt rivers.
• Haringvliet: A large inlet of the North Sea, and a significant body of water in the Netherlands.
• Biesbosch National Park: One of the largest national parks in the Netherlands and one of the last extensive areas of freshwater tidal wetlands in Northwestern Europe.
• The Maeslantkering: A storm surge barrier on the Nieuwe Waterweg, part of the Delta Works.
• Rotterdam's Historic Harbor: Known as the largest port in Europe.

Notable Historical Events (1600-1690)

• The Dutch Golden Age (17th Century): A period in Dutch history, typically associated with commercial and artistic success, during which the Dutch Republic was one of the world's leading powers.
• The Eighty Years' War (1568–1648): A revolt of the Seventeen Provinces against the political and religious hegemony of Philip II of Spain, the sovereign of the Habsburg Netherlands.
• The Disaster Year (1672): Known in Dutch history as the Rampjaar, when the Dutch Republic was simultaneously attacked by England, France, and the Bishoprics of Münster and Cologne.

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.