Title of the map:

"Ducatuum LIVONIAE et CURLANDIAE Novissima tabula in Quibus sunt ESTONIA LITLANDIA et Aliae Minores provinciae Per R. & I. OTTENS Amsteladami cum Privilegio Ord Hollandiae et West-Frisiae".

Large unusual antique copper engraved map of the historical regions of Livonia and Courland, now located in Latvia and Estonia, by Rainer & Joshua Ottens. 

This map is centered on the Baltic territories, specifically: 

Livonia, the central and northern part of the map (modern Estonia and northern Latvia). The major cities are marked: Riga, Dorpat (now Tartu), Wenden, etc...; 

Courland (Curlandia/Kurland), the southwestern part, in what is now western Latvia. The historical capital Mitau (now Jelgava) is likely visible on the map. The duchy of Courland and Semigallia was a vassal state of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the 18th century.

Latgale and Vidzeme, in east and southeast of Livonia; these territories were hsitorically contested between Poland, Sweden and Russia during the 17th century.

Northern Estonia, in upper part of the map, including islands in the Baltic sea.

The Baltic sea is labeled in both Latin and Dutch. Numerous rivers are illustrated, as the Daugava, western Dvina.

This map is filled with detail of hundreds of tiny villages, forests, marshes, mountains and rivers. It is decorated with a nice cartouche with a cherub blowing a trumpet.

This map shows a transitional period in Baltic history. The region was contested between major powers: Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, Russia an the Teutonic order. Soon after, the Great northen war would lead to increasing Russian influence, especially after the Treaty of Nystad (1721). This map is a valuable document showing the political and territorial complexity of the Baltic before modern nation-states.

Size with margins : 61,5 x 52 cm / 24 x 20,4 inches

Condition : very good condition

Edition : Amsterdam, c. 1735, 18th century.

Reiner Ottens (1698–1750) and Joshua Ottens (1704–1765) belonged to a prominent dynasty of cartographers and engravers from Amsterdam, active for more than a century. Their father, Joachim Ottens (1663–1719), from a family of sailors, received his education within the evangelical Lutheran community of Amsterdam. In his youth, he worked with the famous cartographer Frederik de Wit, and from the 1680s, he founded his own publishing workshop, specializing in maps, architectural drawings and decorative prints. His business was pursued by his widow, then by their children.

The Ottens family owned several properties in central Amsterdam, and they were deeply integrated into the intellectual and commercial life of the city. The workshop operated under the name 'De Werelt Kaart' ('The World Map'), highlighting their cartographic specialization. After Joachim’s death in 1719, the business was entrusted to his two younger sons, Reiner and Joshua. At the death of Reiner in 1750, Joshua continued the business, and documents attest that his widow maintained the company until the late 1770s..

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A Certification of Authenticity can be issued on request.

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WE DON'T SELL LASER AND COPIES MAPS, ALL WE SELL IS ORIGINAL AND ANTIQUE.

Due to the age an type of paper, some imperfections are to be expected. Please examine the images provided carefully, and if you have any questions please ask and we will be happy to help you.