Rare Old Map of North Holland by Visscher, 1690: Amsterdam, Alkmaar, Hoorn, Beverwijk, Purmerend
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FREE delivery in 2 to 3 days
Free delivery in 2 to 3 days
Your map should be delivered in 2 to 3 working days with free delivery, worldwide.
We make maps by hand locally in 23 countries, including the UK
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. If you're buying a gift for someone in another country, we will make the map locally to them.You will never pay import tax or customs duty.
Please note: Some orders are taking 5-6 days to arrive because of postal slowdowns caused by Black Friday and Christmas. This should clear up soon.
Express delivery is available at checkout which can reduce the delivery time to 1-2 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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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.
- Framing & personalisation available
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60 day money back guarantee
60 days to return and refund
Products can be returned within 60 days for a full refund, or exchange for another product.
Our usual returns window is 30 days, but to give you extra peace of mind during the Christmas period, we have extended the returns period to 60 days.
For personalised and customised items, we may offer you a non-expiring gift card, as we cannot resell personalised orders.
If you have any questions, get in touch. For more information, see our full returns & exchanges policy.
My maps are rare, museum-grade, restored old maps sourced from libraries, auction houses and private collections across the globe.
- The model holds the 16x20in (40x50cm) map
Custom size and finish
If you are looking for a size or finish that is not available here, please request it in the "order note" when you check out.
Every order is custom made, so if you need the size adjusted slightly, or printed on an unusual material, just let us know. We've done thousands of custom orders over the years, so there's (almost) nothing we can't manage.
You can also contact us before you order, if you prefer!
This exquisite map, titled 'Noordt Hollandt', is a fascinating historical artifact that offers a detailed view of North Holland, a significant region in the modern-day Netherlands. Crafted by the renowned mapmaker Nicolaes Visscher II in 1690, this map provides an in-depth look at the geographical layout and political divisions of the time.
The map features several notable cities and landmarks that have played pivotal roles in the history of the Netherlands. Amsterdam, the capital city, is prominently displayed, reflecting its historical importance as a major center of trade and culture. Alkmaar, known for its cheese market, Hoorn, a significant seaport during the Dutch Golden Age, Beverwijk, home to one of the largest flower auction centers, and Purmerend, a market town that dates back to the 13th century, are all intricately detailed.
'Noordt Hollandt', translated to 'North Holland', indicates the map's geographical focus. This region, known for its flat landscape, windmills, tulip fields, and canals, was a key area during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth and cultural achievement. The map, therefore, offers a glimpse into the rich history and heritage of this remarkable region.
In addition to the cities, the map also outlines the political divisions of the period. These divisions, often based on natural landmarks such as rivers and coastlines, played a crucial role in shaping the history and development of the Netherlands. This map, therefore, is not just a geographical representation, but also a valuable historical document that provides insights into the political landscape of the time.
This 'Noordt Hollandt' map by Nicolaes Visscher II is a must-have for any history or cartography enthusiast. It is a unique piece that combines historical significance, artistic craftsmanship, and geographical detail, offering a window into the past of one of Europe's most fascinating regions.
Some of the significant locations shown on this map:
Cities and Towns
- Amsterdam: Known as the "Venice of the North" for its extensive canals. The city was a leading center for finance and diamonds during the 17th century.
- Alkmaar: Famous for its traditional cheese market. It was granted city rights in 1254.
- Hoorn: A significant seaport in the Dutch Golden Age. It was founded in 716 and received city rights in 1357.
- Beverwijk: Known for the Bazaar, the largest indoor market in Europe. The town received city rights in 1276.
- Purmerend: A market town dating back to the 13th century. It was granted city rights in 1410.
- Haarlem: Known for its historical architecture. It was granted city rights in 1245.
- Zaandam: Known for its windmills, it was an important shipbuilding center in the 17th century.
- Enkhuizen: An important harbor town in the 17th century. It was granted city rights in 1355.
- Medemblik: The oldest city in West Friesland. It was granted city rights in 1289.
- Monnickendam: Known for its well-preserved old town. It was granted city rights in 1355.
- Edam: Famous for its cheese market. It was granted city rights in 1357.
- Volendam: A popular tourist attraction known for its old fishing boats.
- Broek in Waterland: Known for its wooden houses. It was a prosperous whaling village in the 17th century.
- Marken: Known for its characteristic wooden houses.
- Muiden: Known for the Muiderslot, a castle located on the mouth of the Vecht river.
- Weesp: Known for its historical buildings and canals. It was granted city rights in 1355.
- Naarden: Known for its star-shaped fort, it was an important military base in the 17th century.
- Hilversum: Known for its radio and television broadcasting stations.
- Bussum: A commuter town and former municipality in the province of North Holland.
- Huizen: Known for its architecture, it was a village of farmers, fishermen, and seafarers.
- Laren: Known for its history as an artist colony.
- Blaricum: Known for its many monumental farm buildings.
- Heemskerk: Known for its horticulture.
- Castricum: Known for its beach and dune landscape.
- Uitgeest: Known for the oldest mill in the Netherlands.
- Heiloo: Known for its pilgrimage church.
- Egmond: Known for its three parts: Egmond-Binnen, Egmond aan den Hoef, and Egmond aan Zee.
- Bergen: Known for its artistic history.
- Schoorl: Known for its wide dunes.
- Den Helder: Known for its naval base.
Natural Landmarks
- IJsselmeer: The largest lake in Western Europe.
- Zaan River: Known for the industrial windmills along its banks.
- North Sea: The body of water to the west of North Holland.
- Markermeer: A large freshwater lake separated from the IJsselmeer by the Houtribdijk.
- Wadden Sea: An intertidal zone in the southeastern part of the North Sea.
Historical Events
- Tulip mania (1637): The first recorded speculative bubble in history.
- Anglo-Dutch Wars (1652-1674): A series of conflicts fought between the English and the Dutch for control over trade routes and colonies.
- Disaster Year (1672): The Dutch Republic was simultaneously attacked by France, England, Münster, and Cologne.
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.
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.
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.
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