Hiscox Acquires Historic Maps Of Bermuda

A good map, it’s been said, is both a useful tool and a magic carpet to a far away place.

And now, more than 300 years after they were published in Europe, two rare 17th century maps of Bermuda have arrived in the farway place they charted with such pinpoint accuracy.

Specialist  insurer Hiscox announced today [Mar. 8] it had acquired copies of the Blaeu and Speed maps of Bermuda, produced in 1650 and 1676 respectively.

Both show the early division by the English colonists of Bermuda into its administrative areas, or “tribes” [later parishes], and are believed to be among only a small number of original Bermuda maps remaining from that period.

Few of these maps would have ever made it onto the island in the first place having been produced for the benefit of English shareholders in the early, privately-financed Bermuda colony.

The Speed map [above] first appeared in the first ever atlas by an Englishman, “A Prospect of the Most Famous Parts of the World”, in 1627, with the Hiscox example coming from the last edition published in 1676.

The Blaeu map features original colouring by the Ducth mapmaker done at the time the map was printed.

Cartographers John Speed and Joan Blaeu based their maps on a lost map of the island created by Richard Norwood who originally went out to Bermuda in search of pearls but finding none to be found, took up employment by the Somers Isles Company to survey the island.

Commenting on the acquisition of the maps, Charles Dupplin, CEO of Hiscox Bermuda, said: “Very few of these original maps exist today and we are delighted to be bringing these two very fine examples ‘home’ to Bermuda.

“In collecting terms they are exciting as they are both in such pristine original condition. The irony of course is that had they been brought to Bermuda in the 17th century it is highly unlikely that they would have survived given the extreme humidity and sunlight.”

“These two very special maps will join other Bermudian artwork here in our office which includes a very strong selection on loan from the Masterwork’s collection. We are delighted to welcome two such iconic pieces of Bermuda’s rich history.”

Both maps were supplied by The Map House, London’s oldest specialist antiquarian map seller.

Hiscox opened its Bermuda office in 2005 writing catastrophe reinsurance and internal Group reinsurance. In 2006 the Group domiciled in Bermuda as Hiscox Ltd. Hiscox Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited has an A (Excellent) rating from A.M. Best and an A (Strong) rating from Fitch.

The company operates out of offices in Wessex House on Reid Street.

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Category: All, Business, History