Southeast Asia, by J. Ottens. c. 1700
The Ottens Family
Joachim Ottens (1663-1719), was a copper-engraver and the founder of the print- and mapsellers’ firm in Amsterdam. In 1710 he became a member of the art- and printsellers guild. After he died in 1719, his widow and the sons continued the business under the name “In de Wereldcaert” (In the world map). On the whole, the Ottens’s financial position was rather weak, and the stock was not very large.
In a notary contract dated 20 October 1726, the partnership between the two brothers, Reinier and Josua, was stipulated. Despite separate shops, the brothers’ partnership continued until the death of Renier in 1750.
After Joshua died in 1765, his widow continued the firm, together with her son, Renier II, until c. 1780.
The firm flourished mainly between 1719 and c. 1750. In that period, they advertised at various times the publication of new maps.
Ottens’s greatest fame comes from the voluminous atlases assembled to order. A small number of these so-called ‘Atlas factice’, splendid copies with gorgeous illumination, have survived. These collector’s copies are known to exist in 2, 6, 8, 11, and even 15 volumes. Ottens also published atlases in one volume, with a varying number of maps, pocket atlases, collections of military plans, and Renard’s atlas de la navigation.
Le Royaume de Siam avec les Royaumes qui luy sont Tributaires, et les Isles de Sumatra, Andemaon, etc. et les Isles Voisine.
Item Number: 25716 Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Asia > Southeast Asia
Old, antique map of Southeast Asia by Ottens R. & I.
2 copper engravings, unjoined sheets, printed on paper.
Sizes (not including margins): 35.5 x 55.5cm (13.8 x 21.6 inches) and 48 x 55.5cm (18.7 x 21.6 inches)
Verso: Blank
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+
References: Parry, Plate 6.5; Durant-Curtis, #32-33.
From: Atlas sive Geographia compendiosa in qua Orbis Terrarum pacis attamen novissimis Tabulis Ostenditur. - Atlas Nouveau, contenant toutes les partis du monde ... R. & I. Ottens, c. 1745. (Composite Atlas).
This map is drawn largely from French Jesuit accounts and charts the route of the French Embassy to and from Siam in 1685-6 through the Straits of Banca and the Gulf of Siam. (Parry, p. 177)
The Ottens Family
Joachim Ottens (1663-1719), was a copper-engraver and the founder of the print- and mapsellers’ firm in Amsterdam. In 1710 he became a member of the art- and printsellers guild. After he died in 1719, his widow and the sons continued the business under the name “In de Wereldcaert” (In the world map). On the whole, the Ottens’s financial position was rather weak, and the stock was not very large.
In a notary contract dated 20 October 1726, the partnership between the two brothers, Reinier and Josua, was stipulated. Despite separate shops, the brothers’ partnership continued until the death of Renier in 1750.
After Joshua died in 1765, his widow continued the firm, together with her son, Renier II, until c. 1780.
The firm flourished mainly between 1719 and c. 1750. In that period, they advertised at various times the publication of new maps.
Ottens’s greatest fame comes from the voluminous atlases assembled to order. A small number of these so-called ‘Atlas factice’, splendid copies with gorgeous illumination, have survived. These collector’s copies are known to exist in 2, 6, 8, 11, and even 15 volumes. Ottens also published atlases in one volume, with a varying number of maps, pocket atlases, collections of military plans, and Renard’s atlas de la navigation.