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Description

Nice old color example of the Ottens sea chart of West Africa.

The map extends from Senegal in the north to Angola in the south, centered on the Bay of Guinea.

There is a wealth of navigational information including sandbanks and shoals. The chart is a masterpiece of decorative engraving with illustrations of sailing vessels, compass roses and an elaborate allegorical title cartouche, showing Dutch and native traders, slavery images and local commerce. 

Reiner & Joshua Ottens Biography

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.