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This is a rare full original color map of Nieuwer Sluice, engraved by John Luffman, as part of Luffman’s Select Plans series
The map offers a detailed plan of a fortification situated along both sides of the River Vecht, which flows through the provinces of Holland and Utrecht in the Netherlands. The fortification, named Nieuwer Sluice (or "Nieuwer Sluis"), lies approximately 12 miles southeast of Amsterdam.
Luffman's map is meticulously rendered, showcasing the star-shaped fortifications, a characteristic military design of the 17th and 18th centuries, used to optimize defense against artillery. The fort is illustrated with moats and multiple bastions, which are strategically positioned to protect the river, a critical artery of commerce and military importance in the region. The River Vecht is shown splitting the fort into two symmetrical sections, one on each bank, with dikes (marked on the map) extending from the fortifications, reflecting the Dutch expertise in water management and flood control.
Notable features include the canal to the "Crooked Amstel River" (shown on the left), which further highlights the fort's integration into the complex waterway network of the region. The canal system in the Netherlands was vital for both transportation and defense, allowing the movement of troops, supplies, and facilitating communication between fortifications.
The Nieuwer Sluice fortification was part of the greater Dutch Water Line, a series of defenses constructed during the late 17th and early 18th centuries to protect the economic and political heart of the Dutch Republic, including the provinces of Holland and Utrecht. This system of fortifications relied on strategic flooding, allowing the Dutch to inundate large areas of land, making it impassable for enemy forces. The construction of the Water Line, including Nieuwer Sluice, was especially crucial during periods of conflict with France and England, as the Dutch sought to protect their vital trade routes and densely populated urban centers.
By the time of this map’s engraving in 1800, the Dutch Republic had been occupied by French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte, marking the end of the Dutch Republic and the beginning of the Batavian Republic (1795–1806). The fortifications along the River Vecht, including Nieuwer Sluice, remained strategically important throughout this period as the Netherlands became an integral part of Napoleon’s military strategy in Europe.
