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A strikingly engraved example of this uncommon map published by Reiner & Joshua Ottens in Amsterdam, reflecting the current French and English Claims in North America. The map repeats much of the detail of the famous John Mitchell wall map published in 1755, and on which this map is presumably based. This example is apparently a rare early variant of Seller & Van Ee 58, lacking the 1755 date and having only 1 of the 3 keys generally found on the map, suggesting that this edition was likely an early or proof example, which may pre-date Mitchell's map. Very light foxing and very minor soiling, else a strong example of this uncommon work.
The Ottens brothers, Reiner and Joshua, operated a successful printing partnership in the mid-eighteenth century (fl. 1726-1765). They began the venture in 1726, publishing maps and other prints as “R & I Ottens.” They specialized in the reprinting of others’ work, especially Guillaume De L’Isle. In 1750, Reiner died; his soon, also Reiner, took his place, but the firm began listing their works as “Joshua & Reiner Ottens.” The firm lasted until Joshua’s death in 1765. Joshua’s widow, Johanna de Lindt, sold their remaining stock of plates in 1784.
![United States [rare variant edition]](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/83279.jpg)
