Nicolaes Visser's decorative map of the British Isles.

In the upper right, the map is embellished with the royal coat of arms of England, flanked by those of Scotland and Ireland.

The lower left has a representation of the British chivalric Order of the Garter, surrounding the Shield of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. The garter has the motto of the Order: "Honi soit qui mal y pense." (shamed on him or her who thinks evil of it). It is supported by a golden crowned lion and a silver unicorn. The Royal motto "Dieu et mon Droit" (In my Defens God me Defend).

A very handsome example in attractive original coloring.

"For nearly a century the members of the Visscher family were important art dealers and map publishers in Amsterdam. The founder of the business, Claes Janszoon Visscher, had premises near to those of Pieter van den Keere and Jodocus Hondius whose pupil he may have been.

From about 1620 he designed a number of individual maps, including one of the British Isles, but his first atlas consisted of maps printed from plates bought from van den Keere and issued as they stood with some additions of his own, including historical scenes of battles and sieges for which he had a high reputation.

Some maps bear the latinized form of the family name: Piscator. After Visscher's death his son and grandson, both of the same name, issued a considerable number of atlases, constantly revised and brought up to date but most of them lacking an index and with varying contents.

The widow of Nicholaes Visscher II carried on the business until it finally passed into the hands of Pieter Schenk."

(Moreland & Bannister).

Antique maps of the British Isles
Old books, maps and prints by Nicolaes Visscher II