Plattegrond van Beverwijk - Hendrik de Leth

A detailed 1729 topographical map of Beverwijk by Dutch cartographer Hendrik de Leth, documenting the town's urban layout and surrounding landscape.

This 1729 map by Hendrik de Leth provides a precise topographical record of Beverwijk, a town in the North Holland province of the Netherlands. As an engraver and publisher, de Leth produced works that documented the urban and rural layout of the Dutch Republic during the eighteenth century. The print captures the town's structure, including its street patterns, agricultural boundaries, and specific estates such as 't Huis Akredam.

The composition is typical of the period's cartographic style, combining technical accuracy with decorative elements. A cartouche in the upper left corner displays the title in both Dutch and French, reflecting the international reach of Dutch mapmaking at the time. The surrounding areas, including 'De Banne van Velsen' and 'De Wycker Meer', are clearly delineated, providing context for the town's geographic position. The use of stippling and varied line weights allows for the differentiation between built-up areas, gardens, and open fields.

De Leth's work is valued for its clarity and the systematic approach to urban planning documentation. The map functions as a historical record of the town's expansion and land use. The inclusion of a red collector's stamp in the lower right corner indicates its provenance within a private or institutional collection. This print offers a view into the administrative and spatial organisation of a Dutch town, demonstrating the precision required by cartographers of the era. The monochromatic palette and clean lines make it a suitable piece for those interested in historical geography, urban history, or the technical craft of eighteenth-century engraving.