{"product_id":"old-birdseye-map-of-quebec-city-1740-fort-redoubt-cathedral-jesuits-hotel-dieu","title":"Old Birdseye Map of Quebec City, 1740: Fort, Redoubt, Cathedral, Jesuits, Hôtel-Dieu","description":"\u003cp\u003eQuebec is the proud title given to this arresting 1740 birds-eye view, engraved by the Amsterdam house of Covens \u0026amp; Mortier after Henry Popple’s celebrated work and ultimately descending from Franquelin’s 1688 drawing. Seen from across the broad St. Lawrence, the city rises in a theatrical profile of cliffs, ramparts, and spires, its skyline punctuated by high churches and sturdy public buildings. A keyed legend identifies ten principal structures—from The Fort and its Ravelins to the Cathedral, Jesuits, and Hotel Dieu—offering a concise urban portrait at a formative moment in New France. On the river, ships fly Fleur-de-Lys pennants, signaling French power and the port’s vitality. This is a city view that doubles as strategic brief and civic pageant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition makes explicit Quebec’s extraordinary topography and defenses. The promontory commands the channel, with The Fort, The Ravelins, The Redoubt, and The Platform arranged to cover approaches and dominate the shipping lanes below. The choice of vantage reveals the urban organism in layers: the busy riverfront stretching along the base and the elevated precincts that housed authority and faith above. Though streets are not named, the graded terraces of Upper and Lower Town emerge clearly, the very lack of street detail directing attention to the fortified envelope and monumental nodes that defined the city’s colonial identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEcclesiastical and scholarly institutions stand at the heart of this portrait. The Jesuits, the Seminary, the Cathedral, the Bishop’s House, and the Hospital\/Hôtel-Dieu are singled out in the legend, their lofty silhouettes knitting together power, piety, and learning. In 18th-century Quebec, these foundations shaped education, charity, and governance—functions the engraver elevates by casting their towers and domes as the principal markers of place. The clustering of cathedral, seminary, and episcopal residence testifies to a metropolitan church guiding civic life, while the hospitals speak to a network of care on the colonial frontier. The map’s emphasis on spires and cloisters captures the city’s identity as both fortress and sanctuary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe St. Lawrence River, rendered as a stage for commerce and command, completes the scene. Warships and merchantmen under the Fleur-de-Lys course before the town, evoking convoys, supply chains, and the maritime rhythm that connected Quebec to the Gulf and, beyond, to France. In the absence of street labeling, the waterfront itself becomes the map’s narrative spine: a line of quays, warehouses, and staging grounds implied by hulls at anchor and sails in formation. Popple’s and Covens \u0026amp; Mortier’s choice to people the river with movement underscores Quebec’s role as gateway to the interior—where pelts, provisions, and policy flowed with the tide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs an artifact of its moment, this view sits at the confluence of art, intelligence, and imperial rivalry. Popple’s wider mapping of North America responded to urgent boundary disputes, and editions like this one found renewed relevance as the War of Jenkins’ Ear sharpened European attention on colonial strongholds. By refining Franquelin’s governmental drawing through the lens of Amsterdam’s premier publishers, the plate offers both an elegant urban likeness and a distilled brief on defenses, institutions, and access. The keyed ensemble of fortifications and great houses is more than ornament: it is a carefully curated index of what mattered in Quebec—an enduring, eloquent city map that still reads as strategy set to copper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStreets and roads on this map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo specific streets or roads are labelled on this map.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNotable Features \u0026amp; Landmarks\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLabelled buildings:\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA. The Fort\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eB. The Ravelins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eC. The Platform\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eD. The Jesuits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eE. The Cathedral\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eF. The Seminary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eG. The Hotel Dieu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eH. The Bishop's House\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eI. The Redoubt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eK. The Hospital\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips: Multiple ships are depicted on the St. Lawrence River.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical and design context\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMapmaker\/Publisher: Created by Covens \u0026amp; Mortier, based on original work by Henry Popple.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate of Creation: 1740\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA fine example of Covens and Mortier's edition of Popple's view of Quebec City.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe map depicts the city from across the St. Lawrence River, featuring ten early buildings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh churches and buildings are prominently illustrated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShips sailing the river are depicted with flags bearing the Fleur de Lys.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis view derives from Franquelin’s 1688 drawing of the city.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUrban design and architecture of 18th-century Quebec.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNaval activity in the St. Lawrence River.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe depiction of significant buildings highlights the city’s importance during the colonial period.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCity birds-eye view pictorial map style.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOrnate illustrations of buildings and landscapes, capturing the essence of the era.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of Popple's broader cartographic work on North America, driven by increased need for detailed maps due to colonial boundary disputes in the early 18th century.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaw renewed interest during conflicts like the War of Jenkins' Ear, highlighting its relevance in historical documentation and cartography.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003eget in touch\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003eThis map is wider than most maps, which would make it a perfect statement piece above a mantelpiece, sofa or desk.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the \u003ca href=\"\/es\/collections\/all-old-vintage-antique-maps\"\u003ebest old maps\u003c\/a\u003e to see if something else catches your eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlease \u003ca href=\"\/es\/pages\/contact-us\"\u003econtact me\u003c\/a\u003e to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Unique Maps Co.","offers":[{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612027776,"sku":"UM00295821A","price":39.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612060544,"sku":"UM00295822A","price":105.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"12x18in (30x45cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612093312,"sku":"UM00295823A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612126080,"sku":"UM00295824A","price":73.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612158848,"sku":"UM00295825A","price":160.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"14x24in (36x60cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612191616,"sku":"UM00295826A","price":0.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612224384,"sku":"UM00295827A","price":88.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612257152,"sku":"UM00295828A","price":240.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"24x36in (60x90cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612289920,"sku":"UM00295829A","price":270.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612322688,"sku":"UM00295830A","price":115.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612355456,"sku":"UM00295831A","price":470.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x45in (70x114cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612388224,"sku":"UM00295832A","price":470.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x50in (70x127cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612420992,"sku":"UM00295833A","price":210.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x50in (70x127cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612453760,"sku":"UM00295834A","price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"28x50in (70x127cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612486528,"sku":"UM00295835A","price":875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x60in (94x150cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612519296,"sku":"UM00295836A","price":280.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x60in (94x150cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612552064,"sku":"UM00295837A","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"37x60in (94x150cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612584832,"sku":"UM00295838A","price":1400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"39x70in (99x178cm) \/ Map","offer_id":58258612617600,"sku":"UM00295839A","price":460.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"39x70in (99x178cm) \/ Framed map","offer_id":58258612650368,"sku":"UM00295840A","price":1875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"39x70in (99x178cm) \/ Framed canvas map","offer_id":58258612683136,"sku":"UM00295841A","price":1875.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0257\/0344\/8638\/files\/file_ee702bf3-b0da-4217-b80e-e1bf4a002dba.jpg?v=1781278628","url":"https:\/\/uniquemaps.co.uk\/es\/products\/old-birdseye-map-of-quebec-city-1740-fort-redoubt-cathedral-jesuits-hotel-dieu","provider":"The Unique Maps Co.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}