1734 Pas Kaart van de Boght van Florida met de Canaal Tusschen Florida en Cuba
By: Gerard Van Keulen
Date: 1724 (published) Amsterdam
Dimensions: 20 x 22.75 inches (51 x 57.75 cm)
A striking example of an old nautical chart of the Gulf of Mexico that presents the southern coast of North America from Mobile Bay to the Florida Keys, part of Cuba, and the Yucatan Peninsula. This is the 5th state of the map, first published in 1631 by the Van Keulen family who were the most prolific nautical chart making company of the 17th and early 18th century.
The map is oriented to the east with north on the left as identified two compass roses. The title cartouche features Neptune, god of the sea, and Mercury, god of commerce, and travel. Navigational lines known as rhumb lines fill the seas while depth soundings, and coastal landmarks are noted throughout, all of which are essential for maritime travel. Along the top portion of the map are three inset maps of bays in Cuba; Mantacas, Havana, and Hondo. Each of these bays were strategically important for the Spanish for the transport of riches, including gold from their colonies throughout the Caribbean back to Spain. The galleons transporting these riches were prized targets for pirates of the Caribbean.
The Caribbean During the late 17th and early 18th Century.
During the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean were central to the bustling maritime economy of the Americas. This region was a strategic hub for trade and exploration, connecting European colonial powers to their lucrative holdings in the New World. It was also a hotspot for piracy, contested territorial claims, and conflicts between European empires vying for control of the vital shipping routes and the resources of the Americas. The waterways depicted on this map were crucial for transporting goods such as sugar, tobacco, and silver, and they were carefully mapped to facilitate safe passage through the perilous waters, rife with shallow banks and treacherous reefs.
About the Van Keulen Family
The Van Keulen family, based in Amsterdam, was among the leading cartographic publishers of the time, specializing in nautical charts and maritime atlases. Founded by Johannes van Keulen in the late 17th century, the family's firm became a powerhouse in maritime navigation, producing highly accurate and detailed maps that were indispensable for sailors and merchants. Their work combined scientific precision with artistic excellence, and their publications were widely used by Dutch and European mariners during the height of the Age of Exploration and colonial expansion. This map exemplifies the Van Keulen tradition, merging navigational practicality with the artistry and craftsmanship of Dutch cartography.
Condition: This map is in B condition, trimmed to the neatline along the top with a new margin added for framing purposes. The map presents a sharp print impression on clean paper save for a few areas of rust and two holes that have been restored. Any minor marginal tears have also been reinforced on the verso with archival material. Overall, the map presents very well with exceptional eye appeal.
Inventory #12940
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622