Moll’s collection

The Moll's collection of maps and veduta, named after its author Bernard Paul Moll, offers a representative cross-section of cartographic production and veduta of the 16th to 18th centuries. It includes a large number of manuscript plans, maps and illustrations that offer unique representations of the territory of Central Europe, the countries of today's Benelux, Italy and major parts of the Balkans. The unique structure of the collection is documented by two editions of original manuscript catalogues indicating its progressive growth; the excellent physical condition of the collection reveals the contemporary method of mounting of individual works. The collection stands out due to its exceptional scope and geographical coverage. The number of 12,774 units ranks it among the largest late Baroque collections of its kind. It is exceptional that it owes its creation to a mere member of the upper middle class with original interests and not to an institution or a monarch. The collection is an extremely valuable and unique resource for the history of collecting, cartography, urbanism, military science, and mining.