Rare Old Map of Guinea by Visscher, 1690: Gold, Slave and Ivory Coast, West Africa, Lomé, Lagos, Abidjan, Niger River

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of history with this exquisite map, titled 'Guinea'. This captivating piece is a testament to the cartographic mastery of Nicolaes Visscher II, a renowned mapmaker from the Dutch Golden Age. Created in 1690, the map meticulously delineates the different regions and political divisions of Guinea, a significant area within modern-day Africa. The translation of the map's full name into English indicates the expansive geographical coverage of this map, providing an intriguing insight into the world as it was known over three centuries ago.

The map features notable cities such as Lomé, Lagos, and Abidjan, each rendered with remarkable precision. The Niger River, a crucial waterway in West Africa, is also depicted, adding to the geographical accuracy and aesthetic appeal of the map. The inclusion of these cities and landmarks not only enriches the visual experience but also offers a fascinating glimpse into the historical and political context of the era.

In addition to its geographical detail, the map is adorned with hand-colored outlines and engraved designs. It showcases administrative boundaries, cities, towns, waterways, canals, landmarks, wildlife, and mountains. Decorative elements such as a title cartouche, compass roses, and rhumb lines further enhance its artistic value. The relief is shown pictorially, adding a sense of depth and realism to the landscape.

This map is more than just a historical artifact; it is a visual narrative that invites exploration and discovery. From the meticulously detailed cities to the beautifully depicted natural phenomena, every element serves to transport the viewer back in time. Whether you are a history enthusiast, a lover of cartography, or simply appreciate the beauty of old maps, this 'Guinea' map by Nicolaes Visscher II is sure to be a captivating addition to your collection.

Some of the significant locations shown on this map:

Gold Coast - Elmina: Founded in 1482 by Portuguese traders, Elmina is known for its historic Elmina Castle, one of the oldest European buildings outside of Europe. - Accra: Established in the 15th century, Accra served as a significant trading hub during the Atlantic slave trade era.

Slave Coast - Lagos: Known as Eko during the 17th century, Lagos was a major center for the slave trade. - Porto-Novo: Founded in the late 16th century, Porto-Novo was a significant port in the transatlantic slave trade.

Ivory Coast - Grand-Bassam: Founded in 1640, Grand-Bassam was a major French colonial capital. - Abidjan: Established as a major trading post around the mid-17th century, Abidjan later became the capital of the French colony.

Pepper Coast - Monrovia: Known as Christopolis during the 17th century, Monrovia was a significant center for the pepper trade.

Sierra Leone - Freetown: Founded in 1652, Freetown served as a refuge for freed African American slaves.

Guinea - Conakry: Established as a small fishing village during the 17th century, Conakry later grew into a major port city.

Senegal - Saint-Louis: Founded in 1659, Saint-Louis was the first French settlement in West Africa. - Dakar: Established in the 15th century, Dakar was a major center for the slave trade.

Gambia - Banjul: Known as Bathurst until 1973, Banjul was founded by the British in the 19th century.

Notable Natural Phenomena - Niger River: One of Africa's major rivers, the Niger River is a significant waterway for transportation and agriculture. - Lake Chad: Once one of the largest lakes in the world, Lake Chad is a critical water source for millions of people in West Africa. - Mount Cameroon: One of Africa's largest volcanoes, Mount Cameroon is a popular destination for hiking and mountaineering. - Cross River National Park: Home to a variety of wildlife, the Cross River National Park is a major tourist attraction. - Fouta Djallon: A highland region in Guinea, Fouta Djallon is known for its stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity.

Notable Historical Events - The Ashanti Empire (1670): The Ashanti Empire was established in what is now Ghana, becoming a significant state in West Africa. - The Dahomey Amazons (17th century): An all-female military regiment was formed in the Kingdom of Dahomey, now modern-day Benin. - The Battle of Mbwila (1665): The Portuguese defeated the Kingdom of Kongo, marking a significant shift in the power dynamics of the region.

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.