Nice small map titled Flessingue, from wood engraving with fine detail and clear impression, nice hand coloring. Overall size approx. 16.5 x 16 cm, image size approx. 11 x 8.5 cm. From La Nouvelle Géographie universelle, la terre et les hommes, 19 vol. (1875-94), great work of Elisee Reclus. Cartographer is Charles Perron.

Click here or image for larger version

---

Vlissingen

English Flushing, gemeente (commune), Zeeland provincie, southwestern Netherlands. It is situated on the southern coast of Walcheren Island, at the mouth of the western Schelde (Scheldt) estuary. A medieval trading town with emphasis on herring fishing, its importance lay in its position controlling the approach to Antwerp. Fortified by Charles V, it was the first town to rebel against Spanish rule in 1572 and became the headquarters of the insurgents' navy (the Sea Beggars). It was held by England from 1585 to 1616 as a “security town” under an agreement to assist the Dutch. It was turned into a naval base by Napoleon during the French occupation (1795–1814). A period of prosperity after the independence of The Netherlands was followed in the 19th century by a decline from which Vlissingen did not recover until the establishment of a shipbuilding yard in 1875. The town was heavily damaged in 1944 when Walcheren and other islands were flooded by the British army in World War II to clear the way to Antwerp, and it was again damaged by natural floods in 1953. Since rebuilt, it is now an important commercial port, fishing harbour, and seaside resort and also a naval base. Vlissingen's industries include shipbuilding, engineering, oil refining, and the manufacture of machinery.

Historic landmarks include the Church of St. James (1308; rebuilt after a fire in 1911), the Prisoners' Tower (1563), the old exchange (1672), the town hall (1733), and part of an old city gate. The municipal museum has a collection relating to Admiral Michiel Adriaanzoon de Ruyter, a native of Vlissingen. Pop. (1992 est.) 43,913.

---

Please e-mail me if you have any questions. I prefer payment by PayPal, but I'll also accept any other payment method and currency (except direct payment by credit card) that is convenient for buyer. I combine shipping of multiple items.

IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SHIPPING: Price quoted with auction is for airmail to the US. Please don't pay before you receive invoice from me.

---