1726 – R. & J. Ottens – Magni Ducatus Lithuaniae

Title: “Magni Ducatus Lithuaniæ Divisa tam in Palatinatus quam in subiacentes castellanias Authore per R.& J Ottens, Amst. Cum Privilegio.”​ ​ Description: Extremely rare antique map of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania divided into its administrative palatinates (voivodeships) and castellanies. It depicts parts of modern-day Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, Latvia, and Ukraine. The Cartouche: The decorative title cartouche features the traditional Lithuanian coat of arms — Vytis — depicting a charging knight on horseback. The regions are color-coded to emphasize administrative borders, complete with meticulous hand-drawn symbols for forests, mountain ranges, and major river systems. The geographical layout was originally created and engraved by the Dutch cartographer Justus Danckerts in Amsterdam. Following the decline of the Danckerts firm, the Ottens brothers acquired their inventory of printing plates in 1726. They modified the cartouche at the top to display their own imprint—”Authore per R. & J. Ottens”—and sold it inside their own commercial atlase “Atlas Maior” published in Amsterdam. Cartographer: Renier Ottens (1698–1750) & Joshua Ottens (1704–1765) Sheet size: 62,6 x 53,3 cm Year: 1726 Technique: copper engraving Condition: Very good, original condition. attractive hand coloring. ​ This is an original antique map published in 1726 and not a modern copy or reprint On your request I will provide a Certificate of Authenticity