About this sheet
Antique Map of Franeker and Harlingen, Friesland by von Reilly, 1791
Original engraved map titled Der Provinz Westergo vier nördliche Grietenyen mit der Stadt Franeker und Harlingen, published in Vienna in 1791. This detailed sheet shows the northern part of the Westergo region in Friesland, highlighting the important towns of Franeker and Harlingen, together with numerous surrounding villages and districts.
The map captures the densely settled agricultural heartland of Friesland. Harlingen, depicted as a bustling port on the Zuiderzee (now IJsselmeer), was historically a vital harbor city with North Sea trade connections. Franeker, further inland, was renowned as a university town from 1585 until 1811, and appears prominently at the center of the map. Other villages shown include Sexbierum, Tzummarum, Minnertsga, Wijnaldum, Herbayum, Achlum, Arum, Kimswerd, Pingjum, Ried, Schalsum, Firdgum, Oosterbierum, Zweins, Berlikum (Berltsum), Menaam (Menaldum), Hitsum, Dongjum, Beetgum, and Beetgumermolen. Historic landmarks such as Klooster Lidlum are also noted, alongside the district of Het Bildt in the north.
The engraving belongs to Franz Joseph Johann von Reilly’s Schauplatz der fünf Theile der Welt (“Showplace of the Five Parts of the World”), one of the most ambitious Austrian atlas projects of the late 18th century. Von Reilly (1766–1820) combined geographical accuracy with elegant presentation, while the engraver Ignaz Alberti (1760–1794) brought clarity and precision to the plate. Together, their work offers an invaluable record of Friesland at the close of the 18th century, when grietenijen (rural districts) structured the province’s administration and waterways defined its economy.
This sheet is a highly collectible example of Dutch provincial cartography, distinguished by its original hand coloring and decorative cartouche. Its wealth of local place names makes it especially appealing to collectors with regional or genealogical interests, as well as to those interested in North Sea maritime history and Frisian cultural heritage.
Condition report: Good condition with light toning. Some faint marginal spotting and a small water stain in the right margin, outside the printed area. Original hand coloring intact. Blank verso.
Framing tips: A dark walnut or black frame with an ivory mat will emphasize the engraved lines and hand coloring. A double mat with a fine red or green inner line will echo the boundary colors and highlight the decorative cartouche.
