Title of the map:

"Neue und Genaue Charte von der Insel Corsica 1796 "

Unusual antique copper engraved map of Corsica (France) by Frederick de Neuhoff (1725-1797).

With a large compass indicating north to left.

Frederick de Neuhoff is calling himself "Colonel Frederick" was the unique son of the German adventurer and self-proclaimed king of Corsica, Theodore de Neuhoff (1694-1756). 

Theodore de Neuhoff was born in 1694 in Cologne. At a very young age, he joined the various army corps and participated in several European conflicts. At that time, many adventurers traveled the world. Several of them use their wealth to participate in various conflicts. With the aim of obtaining, often, important ministerial posts in regions or kingdom which they have helped. It is in this perspective that Theodore of Neuhoff is interested in Corsica. For several years now, anger has been rising. The Corsicans want to free themselves from the Genoese. Generals including Iacintu Paoli (father of Pasquale), Sebastiano Costa, Jean-Pierre Gaffory and many others try to find solutions to finance the revolt born in Boziu in 1729, which is gaining momentum. But the generals are not unanimous. They are unable to find a leader, and when Theodore arrives, it is a kind of totem. The generals therefore put themselves in contact with Theodore de Neuhoff. Some would have met him in Livorno in January 1734 and began to negotiate the terms of his participation in the Corsican revolution. On 20 March he landed in Aleria, and on 15 April 1736 he was named constitutional king of the Corsicans. The day after its proclamation, the regime acquired the attributes of royalty: title of nobility and currency (stamped "TR" Teodorus Rex). And he is already thinking of creating a university. He also rallies some pro-genoese like Matra to his cause. Theodore, the first king of Corsica, declared war on Genoa and decided to lay siege to the Genoese bastions of Bastia and San Pelegrinu. At the same time, tensions arose between the King’s supporters. After the failure of the siege of Calenzana, the Corsicans discovered that Theodore did not have the necessary external support to dislodge the Genoese. Théodore de Neuhoff understood that support had to be sought elsewhere, and on 10 November 1736 he set out to bring arms, ammunition, but also new political supports to Corsica. He will have stayed in Corsica for barely 8 months. In 1749 Theodore de Neuhoff failed in London, he drowned in debt, which earned him a stay of more than six years in prison. When it was released in 1756, the man who had been king of Corsica for only a few months was sick and penniless. He is said to have agonized for a few days in the heart of London at the home of a merchant who had offered him hospitality. He is buried, probably in a common grave of the church of Saint Anne, in the district of Soho, where a plaque pays tribute to him and tells the sad end of Thédore 1st.

Frederick, his son, seems to have been educated in Rome, and served several campaigns under some of the most experienced generals of the time"; moreover, when the Corsicans were fighting for their liberties, he and two Corsican gentlemen, Buttafuoco and Colonna, who had served with distinction in the Corsican regiment in the pay of France, offered their services to Paoli, which were refused. Frederick then came to England "to share his father’s misfortunes". In 1768, he published in London « Mémoires pour servir à l’Histoire de la Corse », ainsi qu’une version anglaise « Memoir of Corsica, containing the Natural and Political History of that important island ... as well as a variety of details hitherto unknown." When Corsica was annexed in 1794, Frederick published a new edition of his book, entitled "Description de la Corse, avec un compte rendu de sa union à la Couronne de Grande-Bretagne" and in 1796 "Beschreibung von Corsika und Geschichte der Vereinigung dieser Insel mit der Krone Grosbrittannien", edited in Leipzig.

Edition: Leipzig, dated 1796, 18th century

Condition: very good condition, on strong paper

Size with margins: 44,5 x 29,5 cm / 17,3 x 11,4 inches

If you buy more than one item, you have to pay just one only shipping cost. We will send your item by Registered and Insured Airmail or by DHL with covering insurance. Customs may be charged on international shipments. All customs charges are the responsiblity of the buyer and are not included in the selling price.

A Certification of Authenticity can be issued on request.

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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