Rare "Twelve Caesars" World Map by Visscher, 1652: Mythical Islands, Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, etc.
Only 1 in stock
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Handmade in the UK
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Your map will be handmade in the UK
The Unique Maps Co. is a UK-based company that prints, frames, personalises and delivers maps all around the world.
If the delivery address is in the UK, your map will be printed and framed here.
If the delivery address is outside the UK, I will print and frame the map outside of the UK. I have local production facilities in 22 countries.
This is great for gifting. For example, you can buy a map for someone in Singapore, and I'll make and deliver the map locally in Singapore with no tax or duty to be paid by the recipient.
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Free delivery
in 2 to 3 days
Delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1 to 2 days.
Please note that personalised maps, and larger framed maps, can take longer to produce and deliver.
If you need your order to arrive by a certain date, contact me and we can discuss your options.
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Premium hardwood frames
Premium hardwood frames
My framed maps are handmade by professional, experienced framers from sustainably sourced hardwoods.
This means your framed map will feel solid and well-made.
My standard frame colours (black, dark brown, white, oak and gold) are available for all map sizes worldwide.
Custom framing is available for an additional fee.
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Certified sustainable +
we plant trees🌳
Sustainability & Tree Planting
Here at The Unique Maps Co., we have an unusually high affinity for paper. After all, without paper, there can be no maps!
That's why all of our paper, frames and packaging are from FSC certified sources.
But we don't stop there. We've partnered with Treeapp to plant trees around the world.
If you spend £50 or more, we'll plant a tree in your name.
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Embark on a journey through time with the Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula, a masterpiece of cartography crafted by the renowned Dutch mapmaker Claes Janszoon Visscher in 1652. This map, a testament to the golden age of Dutch cartography, encapsulates the world as it was perceived in the 17th century, blending scientific discovery with the artistry of its era. Visscher, celebrated for his precision and skill, has created not merely a navigational tool but a historical document that captures the imagination, revealing a world on the cusp of the Age of Exploration. The map’s detailed depiction of continents, countries, and regions, alongside mythical islands such as Frisland and Brasil, offers a fascinating glimpse into the geographical knowledge and myths of the time.
The map's design and style are a feast for the eyes, characterized by its hand-colored engraving that brings to life the political landscape of the 17th century. The Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis is adorned with elaborate borders and vignettes that narrate the world beyond mere geography. The inclusion of the Twelve Caesars, mounted Roman emperors in the decorative borders, infuses the map with a sense of historical depth and grandeur. These emperors, each depicted in elaborate suits of armor, serve as guardians of the ancient world's knowledge, overseeing a map that is as much a political statement as it is a geographical one.
The Twelve Caesars are, in order, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Galba, Otho, Vitellius, Vespasian, Titus and Domitian.
In addition to its political and historical significance, the map is a marvel of artistic embellishment. The Four Continents are personified in the corners, each represented in a manner that reflects the contemporary European perceptions of Asia, Africa, America, and Europe. These personifications, along with panels depicting the traditional dress of people from around the world and views of ports such as Baía de Todos os Santos and Havana, provide a vivid cultural context. The map’s borders are a canvas, illustrating the diversity of the human experience and the vastness of the world in a manner that is both educational and enchanting.
The Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis is not just a portrayal of the world's geography but a comprehensive narrative that includes depictions of sea creatures, sailing ships, sea monsters, and gods, alongside constellations and celestial phenomena. The inclusion of a depiction of the solar system and various bodies of water, from the Nile River to the Pacific Ocean, showcases Visscher’s ambition to encapsulate all known aspects of the world and beyond. This map transcends its function as a geographical guide, serving as a portal to the mysteries and marvels of the universe as understood in the 17th century.
Claes Janszoon Visscher’s Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula stands as a monument to the art of mapmaking and the enduring human quest for knowledge. It captures a world where the known and the mythical coexist, where the boundaries of exploration are constantly expanding. This map is not just a historical artifact; it is a window into the aspirations, fears, and wonders of a bygone era. Owning this map is akin to possessing a piece of history, a testament to the human spirit's unquenchable thirst for discovery and understanding.
Countries and regions on this map
- Africa
- America
- Asia
- Baía de Todos os Santos
- Brasil
- Frisland
- Greenland
- Havana
- Hy Brasil
- Jerusalem
- Magellanica
- Mexico City
- North America
- Pernambuco
- Rome
- South America
- Tunis
- Antarctica
Notable Features & Landmarks
- A depiction of the solar system is in the upper center.
- A decorative title cartouche is in the upper left.
- A decorative scale cartouche is in the lower right.
- Illustrations of various sea creatures surround the map.
- Illustrations of various sailing ships surround the map.
- Illustrations of various sea monsters surround the map.
- Illustrations of various sea gods surround the map.
- Illustrations of various wind gods surround the map.
- Illustrations of various constellations surround the map.
- Illustrations of various people in traditional dress from around the world surround the map.
Historical and design context
- Name: Nova Totius Terrarum Orbis Geographica Ac Hydrographica Tabula Autore N I Piscator
- Date: 1652
- Mapmaker/Publisher: Claes Janszoon Visscher was a Dutch engraver and cartographer who was active in Amsterdam during the 17th century.
- The map is known as the Twelve Caesars Map, and is famous for the inclusion of the mounted Roman emperors in the decorative borders.
- The map is a political map that shows the countries and regions of the world as they were known in the 17th century.
- The map includes mythical islands such as Frisland and Brasil.
- Design and style: The map is a hand-colored engraving. The map is decorated with elaborate borders and vignettes, which illustrate the different countries and regions of the world.
- Historical significance: The map is a valuable historical document that provides a snapshot of the world as it was known in the 17th century. It is also a beautiful work of art, and is an important example of Dutch cartography.
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.
Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.
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.
My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. On maps up to 36 inches (91cm) the frame is 1.5-3cm (0.6in to 1in) wide. I use thicker frames on larger maps - usually between 35 and 60mm (1.4in to 2.4in).
In all cases 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.
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.
A few different frame colours are available for free (black, brown, white, oak and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.
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.
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 have specialist printing and framing facilities in 17 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.
My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.
I source original, extremely 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 how the Unique Maps Co. sources and restores old maps
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.
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 1,500 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.
