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A detailed 17th-century engraved map of Holland and surrounding provinces, oriented with East at the top. The map is decorated with topographical details, coastal features, and maritime illustrations including ships and a sea monster. At the top left is a large coat of arms of the Spanish Habsburgs, representing the Spanish Netherlands, and at the top right is the coat of arms featuring the lion of Holland. A central scroll identifies the main region as Holland. The map includes four compass roses in the sea areas with radiating rhumb lines. The border features a braided pattern with the cardinal directions labeled: Orient (East, at the top), Meridies (South, at the right), Occidens (West, at the bottom), and Septentrio (North, at the left). In the bottom center, a large architectural cartouche contains a Latin description of the region. To the right of the cartouche is a privilege statement, and below it, an oval frame contains the engraver's signature.
Holland, which was once the seat of the Catti a Germanic tribe: it yields to no region in fertility, it abounds in wealth, nor is there any other province that encompasses so many and such great towns in so small a space; it is almost surrounded on all sides by the sea, by the Rhine, and by other rivers.
With the Grace and Privilege
of the Illustrious Lords, the States of Holland
and West Friesland for ten years.
Pieter van den Keere
engraved
and
published
Old maps Holland 19