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Description

An exquisite 18th-century map of Scotland by I. Covens and C. Mortier, offering a detailed view of the country's ducal, county, and provincial divisions, as well as its cities, towns, and islands.

This map, produced by the renowned Dutch cartographers and publishers Johannes Covens and Cornelius Mortier, reflects their commitment to providing accurate and detailed geographical information. In the early 18th century, as trade and communication networks expanded, there was a growing demand for reliable maps that would facilitate travel, commerce, and the understanding of foreign lands. The "Novissima Regni Scotie" satisfies this need, offering a comprehensive and informative representation of Scotland's geography and administrative divisions.

The imprint, "Tot Am Stel Dam by I. Covens en C. Mortier op de Vugendam," indicates that the map was published in Amsterdam with the privilege granted by the States of Holland and West-Friesland. This privilege not only underscores the importance and quality of Covens and Mortier's work, but also highlights the value placed on cartographic knowledge during this period. The legend and dedication further demonstrate the mapmakers' attention to detail, with designations for notable cities, towns, villages, castles, archbishoprics, bishoprics, and academic institutions.

The "Novissima Regni Scotie Septentrionalis et Meridionalis Tabula" stands as an exceptional example of 18th-century Dutch cartography, offering insights into the historical landscape of Scotland, as well as the skills and techniques employed by Covens and Mortier.

The map had previously been issued by Carel Allard in the 17th century.

Johannes Covens Biography

Johannes Covens (1697-1774) was a Dutch geographic publisher based in Amsterdam. He is best known for his collaboration with fellow publisher Cornelis Mortier (1699-1783). Pierre Mortier the Elder (1661-1711) had obtained a privilege in 1690 to distribute the works of French geographers in the Netherlands. After his widow continued the business for several years, Cornelis took over in 1719.

In 1721, Mortier forged a partnership with Covens, who had recently married Cornelis’ sister. They published under the joint name of Covens & Mortier. In 1774, upon the death of his father, Johannes Covens II (1722-1794) took over his father’s share. In 1778, the company changed its name to J. Covens & Zoon, or J. Covens & son.

Covens II’s son, Cornelis (1764-1825), later inherited the business and brought Petrus Mortier IV back into the fold. Petrus was the great-grandson of Petrus Mortier I. From 1794, the business was called Mortier, Covens & Zoon, or Mortier, Covens, & Son.

The business specialized in publishing French geographers including Deslisle, Jaillot, and Sanson. They also published atlases, for example a 1725 reissue of Frederik de Wit’s Atlas Major and an atlas, with additions, from the works of Guillaume Delisle. There were also Covens & Mortier pocket atlases and town atlases. The company profited from acquiring plates from other geographers as well. For example, the purchased Pieter van der Aa’s plates in 1730. Finally, they also compiled a few maps in house. At their height, they had the largest collection of geographic prints ever assembled in Amsterdam.

Cornelis Mortier Biography

Cornelis Mortier (1699-1783) was a Dutch publisher who specialized in geography. Cornelis’ father, Pierre Mortier the Elder (1661-1711), had obtained a privilege in 1690 to distribute the works of French geographers in the Netherlands. After his widow continued the business for several years, Cornelis took over in 1719.

In 1721, Mortier forged a partnership with Johannes Covens, who had recently married Cornelis’ sister. They published under the joint name of Covens & Mortier. Their firm was one of the largest and most successful in Dutch history and continued in business until the late-nineteenth century.

In 1774, upon the death of his father, Johannes Covens II (1722-1794) took over his father’s share. In 1778, the company changed its name to J. Covens & Zoon, or J. Covens & Son. Covens II’s son, Cornelis (1764-1825), later inherited the business and brought Petrus Mortier IV back into the fold. Petrus was the great-grandson of Petrus Mortier I. From 1794, the business was called Mortier, Covens & Zoon, or Mortier, Covens, & Son.

The business specialized in publishing French geographers including Deslisle, Jaillot, and Sanson. They also published atlases, for example a 1725 reissue of Frederik de Wit’s Atlas Major and an atlas, with additions, from the works of Guillaume Delisle. There were also Covens & Mortier pocket atlases and town atlases. The company profited from acquiring plates from other geographers as well. For example, the purchased Pieter van der Aa’s plates in 1730. Finally, they also compiled a few maps in house. At their height, they had the largest collection of geographic prints ever assembled in Amsterdam.