![Photo 8. Choro-topographische kaart der noordelijke
provincien van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden [1823]](15_700.jpg)
(large image: 189 Kb) 4.1. Choro-topographische kaart der noordelijke provincien van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden [1823]. Bussum : Fibula-Van Dishoeck, 1979.
(large image: 189 Kb)
Photo 8. Title sheet of the Choro-topographische kaart der noordelijke provincien van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden [1823]
The field-surveyors made many maps on scales varying between 1:5,000 and 1:30,000, of which many are still kept in the General States Archives. However, the models and sketches of the map were not found, which makes it difficult to reconstruct the real working method: projection, reduction and compilation. The prime-meridian of Paris was used. The first sheets were published in 1809 and the last one in 1823. In between most maps were several times reviewed/renewed, of which some are known as the 'French' edition. The 1823-series has been used for the facsimile. In 1829 the whole series was reprinted. After 1829 the copperplates were updated up till 1878. The Krayenhoff-map was to be used until 1876. The copperplates are still in the archives of the TDN. (7)
![Photo 9. Choro-topographische kaart der noordelijke
provincien van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden [1823]](16_700.jpg)
(large image: 202 Kb)
Photo 9. Index-sheet of the Choro-topographische kaart der noordelijke provincien van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden [1823]
Like the Cassini-map on the scale 1:86,400 (1750-1815) the Krayenhoff-map on the scale 1:115.200 shows a rather small topographic spectrum. The depiction of settlements is limited to locating by means of old stylized signatures; landuse and parcelling are missing. Line-objects like dikes, roads and big waterways dominate the map. (16C) There is only a summary indication of culture and terrain forms. The maps shows the phase of transition of 18th to 19th century topographic mapping.
4.2. Topografische en Militaire kaart van het Koningrijk der Nederlanden (TMK) [1850-1864].
Bussum
: Fibula-van
Dishoeck, 1973
J.A. Van der Linden writes in his introduction to this 1:50,000 facsimile: "Despite the beautiful engraving
the map
is hard to read, because she only could be printed in one colour, but mainly because the TMK is
properly
a map
on the scale 1:25,000, which had to be reduced due to financial reasons. To judge well the
characteristics
of the map
one has to use a magnifying glass and to consult the legend well". (5)
Because most of the field documents
originated
as reductions from cadastral plans scale 1:2,500, which were supplemented with topographic details
in
the terrain,
the old maps have a somewhat excessive detailed contents for modern conceptions. However the
details
make them
the more attractive for scientific use. This was especially true for the 1960's and 1970's when
environmental
protection
and the conservation of old landscapes and residential centres was advancing.
The maps were printed without colour which made it necessary to use an enormous amount of map symbols. This makes the cartographic depiction of the terrain-forms, habitation and landuse so complete and characteristic that one may speak of the "aerial photograph" of the 19th century. Furthermore upright lettering was used for manmade features and italic script was used for natural features.
In the 1960's and 70's there were many insistent requests from practitioners of the history of geography
and of cartography
for a facsimile. In 1972 the KNAG (Royal Dutch Geographical Society) formed a commission for
the
reprint under
the condition that the KNAG should not have to bear any financial risk! As also the TDN couldn't
take
any financial
risk they had to find a commercial publisher. Fortunately there were still publishers who were willing
to take a risk
and one of these is Unieboek, through its subsidiary Fibula-Van Dishoeck. (6)
When it was decided to produce a facsimile reprint of the TMK Ir. J.A. van der Linden and M.F. Fortuin,
both of
the TDN, had to go to great lengths to find some good copies to make the reprints, as only between
200 and 500
of the original copies were printed and most had been well used.
The reprint consists of a title page, sheet-index, a sheet with the explanation of the symbols (there is also a special English edition), and 62 map sheets measuring 64 x 92 cm. The paper on which the map was printed was specially produced to approach the original. A special cassette was made for the series.
The accompanying text has chapters on the previous history 1795-1850 (I), general aspects of the map (II), surveying, triangulation, drawing (III), reproduction (IV), literature and final remarks (V), summary in English (11 p.), and a table of map-sheets comprising: sheet-number, title, survey dates, engraving dates, years of first prints and reprints up till 1872 with number of copies printed.
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