Old Map of Martinique
Price range: £35.55 through £59.95
Old Map of Martinique by Philippe Buache, published by Covens and Mortier, 1742
Martinique stretches diagonally across this detailed map, with coloured districts, numerous rivers and a closely described coastline. Saint-Pierre, Fort Royal and the Caravelle peninsula provide familiar points of reference, while compass roses and fine lines cross the surrounding sea. Based on Buache’s work using material associated with Guillaume Delisle, the fine art reproduction combines the island’s mountainous interior with the settlements and maritime approaches of its colonial period.
A stunning certified FINE ART PRINT on heavy textured art paper — not a poster
- Direct from the publisher — no middlemen
- Printed in-house in Cornwall
- Free UK delivery — international shipping available
- Produced to meet — and often exceed — museum-quality standards
Size
Fine Art Map Reproductions – Museum-Quality Printing
Unlike most online offerings, our maps are produced entirely in-house, not outsourced to print-on-demand or drop-shipping services. This allows complete control over quality while offering better value. Each map begins with a high-resolution original, carefully enhanced and printed to order using archival papers and pigment inks for exceptional clarity, depth, and longevity. Every piece is personally overseen — no map leaves our workshop unless it is of a quality we would be proud to display ourselves.
Authentic Old Map Paper & Accurate Colour Reproduction
Paper choice is essential to the authenticity of our maps. We use specially sourced 190gsm paper made in the UK from pure materials and traditionally pressed with natural woollen felts. This process creates a subtle, randomly textured surface that closely resembles an original antique document. Likewise the use of premium quality ink fully saturates the paper, producing remarkable clarity, depth, and historical character. Colour fastness and sharpness will remain good for in excess of 100 years!
Buy Old Maps Online in the UK Today Trading online since 1999
The Old Map Company of Great Britain offers a vast and carefully curated collection of the very finest expertly reproduced vintage maps. Our range includes works by renowned cartographers such as John Speed and Willem Blaeu, covering Scotland, England, and beyond. Free UK courier delivery is included, with EU, USA, and worldwide shipping available at cost and calculated at checkout. If you need assistance, our team is always happy to help you choose the perfect map.
RECENT REVIEWS
Verified ownerGot there in time and loves it! Cheers David [Gift from US to UK]
Verified ownerThanks Lauren. We received it today - it's gorgeous! Thank you, Ellan
Verified ownerThank you for your prompt service. I have a gallery and framing business in South Wales. I'm so pleased it is printed in the UK
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The print arrived safely and we're delighted with it - a lovely reminder of our honeymoon 15 years ago.
Verified ownerI have just received them! I'm sure our clients will be pleased with them and there could be more projects off the back of this one where we can use more. [Interior Designers]
Verified ownerI just received my map of Ireland by Ewart today and, as usual, I am delighted by its quality. The crispness and fineness of detail is excellent and the colour reproduction surpasses my expectations. Please relay my thanks to Steve for another fine effort!
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Verified ownerMy apologies for the very late reply. I wanted to reach out to thank you so much for rushing my order. My partner absolutely loved it. I am amazed with the service so that is a five-star from me. I wish you all the best.
Historical Background
Martinique is arranged diagonally on this sheet, allowing its long outline to fill the space between the title and the scale. Coloured districts divide the island, while hills, rivers and a dense pattern of settlements occupy the interior. The coast receives equally close attention, with bays, headlands and offshore features drawn around it.
Map Details
- Original title: Carte de l’Isle de la Martinique
- Cartographer: Philippe Buache, using material associated with Guillaume Delisle and other sources
- Publishers: Jean Covens and Corneille Mortier, Amsterdam
- Date: 1742 atlas issue
- Notable features: French and Dutch legend, compass roses, settlements, mills and anchorages
Saint-Pierre lies on the western side, with the mountainous north rising behind it. Fort Royal appears beside the large south-western bay, while the Caravelle peninsula projects from the opposite coast. The small rivers descending from the interior give the island a densely patterned appearance. The diagonal arrangement is worth noticing before trying to read it as a conventional north-up map.
The long French title records how the map was compiled, crediting manuscript plans, astronomical observations and material connected with Guillaume Delisle. Buache’s name identifies the compiler, while the Amsterdam imprint identifies Covens and Mortier as the publishers of this version. Those are separate roles, and both belong in the map’s attribution.
A bilingual legend and the symbols for settlements, mills and anchorages reveal the concerns of a colonial map. Martinique’s plantation economy depended on enslaved labour, a reality that is not adequately represented by the orderly symbols on the sheet. The map records land and infrastructure through a European colonial viewpoint rather than providing a complete account of the island’s inhabitants.
The compass roses and fine directional lines give the sea a structure of its own. They balance the concentration of detail on land, where differently coloured regions and repeated hill symbols create a strong visual rhythm. Looking between the bays, interior rivers and small coastal names brings out the particular character of this reproduction.
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